Hearing Australia in Fryers St, Shepparton, is one of the drop-off points this year, with presents able to be left at the business ahead of Salvation Army's distribution day next month.
With hundreds of local families receiving support from the Shepparton Salvation Army each Christmas, officer Karyn Wishart said the donations were always well received.
“At the moment we're having people who are in need come into our offices in Wyndham St and we do assessments and we have a chat with them as to how they need assistance during the Christmas period,” she said.
“If it is they need assistance through getting toys for their children, the toys that will be donated through this incentive will be picked up by us and distributed on our Christmas distribution day.”
Ms Wishart said the Shepparton Salvation Army also worked in partnership with other welfare agencies in the area to connect with more clients who are in need of assistance.
“Sometimes you see people year after year, other times you see people that are just struggling,” she said.
“Families that have been affected by drought . . . as well as people who have recently been laid off with some of the factories that have closed up - these are the people that we’re trying to connect with to help them to have a really blessed Christmas.”
While the Salvation Army accepts any new unwrapped presents for both boys and girls of any age up to 18, this year they are specifically for presents for teenagers aged 14-18.
“There is quite a high percentage of clients we see that we can assist with their younger kids but not so much their older ones - so that's why there is a push towards that at the moment,” Doorways team leader Megan Waters said.
Presents can be dropped off at Hearing Australia at 205 Fryers St from now until 5 pm on December 13.
Hearing Australia Shepparton centre manager Paige Madgwick urged locals to get behind the gift appeal and help ensure local families were supported this festive season.
“Often rural areas get forgotten about so we want to make sure that people in these areas feel empowered, especially during Christmas,” she said.
For more information about the gift appeal, phone Megan Waters on 5820 8000.