THE Salvation Army and Kmart are asking Sunraysia residents to give to those in need this Christmas, as floods and cost of living pressures put pressure on families' festive budgets.

For the 35th year in a row, Kmart Mildura and the Salvation Army have partnered to launch the Wishing Tree Appeal.

They have invited the community to donate gifts to locals in need, ahead of Christmas Day.

Last year, the appeal gathered more than 1200 gifts for locals in need.

The Salvation Army predicted that this year would be one of the busiest Christmases they had seen.

They said that 83 per cent of individuals surveyed who had presented to Salvos said they were struggling to afford Christmas present for their children and more than half could not afford a meal on Christmas Day.

Salvation Army Sunraysia Major Debbie Serojales urged people to donate gifts this Christmas.

"They say that three in 10 families will struggle to pay for their groceries in the next three months," she said.

"Locally, people are really struggling, we are still coming out of COVID and cost of living is so high and people are being affected by the floods that are coming in, they are having to move away from their homes.

"We have to remember that there are a lot of other families that are struggling as well."

Individuals wanting to donate can place gifts under the tree located at Kmart's entrance.

Suggested gifts include books, school supplies, headphones, everyday essentials and gift cards.

Cash donations can also be made in store or online.

Ms Serojales said it was important to also donate gifts for teenagers and adults.

"People love to give gifts for little kids which is great and we appreciate that, but we also need things for teenagers, they’re the ones we run out of a bit," she said.

"Then also a few adult ones as well because they usually sacrifice for the kids and they don’t get things for themselves."

There is a children's colouring competition running this year, giving kids the opportunity to win a $30 voucher.