The store set a $10,000 goal for this year's appeal, run in conjunction with UnitingCare, which helps support families who are struggling at Christmas time.

Store manager Lisa Morrison, said she was hoping as many customers as possible support the appeal by either placing a toy under the tree or purchasing a $2 Bauble from the checkout.

She said people can buy the bauble or leave the gift right up until Christmas Eve.

"We're really hoping to get to that $10,000 goal, " she said.

Now in its 27th year, the Appeal has helped hundreds of thousands of families across Australia.

 Ms Morrison said it was easy to contribute; simply purchase an Appeal bauble for $2, or leave an  unwrapped gift at your local Target store[HL2] . 

"Volunteers from the UnitingCare Network will collect donations and distribute them to people and families in need," she said.

 Uniting Church Volunteer Julie Greig, said Bathurst Uniting Church is thrilled to play even a small part in such an important community campaign and encourage shoppers to donate as much or as little as they can.” 

In 2017, the Appeal raised $700,000 nationwide from over 22,000 donations. helping support over 42,000 Australian families. 

This year, organisers hope to reach more people who will struggle this Christmas thanks to the generous support from all Australians.

 Ms Greig said many people in the community are struggling, especially at Christmas, with statistically  one in eight people in Australia living in poverty.

Over 42 per cent of all household’s report suffering ‘financial stress’ concerning such indicators as inability to heat their homes, going without meals, struggling to pay utility bills and seeking financial assistance through income support., with single parents experience the highest poverty rates at 33.2 per cent and this been consistent trend across the decade.