The Salvation Army is starting to get nervous about low donations for its annual Kettle Campaign.
Volunteers with jingle bells in hand are doing their best, but the campaign as a whole is feeling the pinch of a struggling economy and low numbers of volunteers.
If not enough funds are raised, community ministries director Pat Humble said Salvation Army administrators will have to sit down and take a serious look at the support the organization will be able to offer in 2014.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big concern,B次元官网网址� said Humble. B次元官网网址淐an we offer the same services all year? B次元官网网址� To be able to meet those needs with our counsellors or our training classes or emergency resources, itB次元官网网址檚 tough.B次元官网网址�
By last Friday the campaign hit $72,000, about equal with the same time last year, but the campaign started a week earlier this year.
Last year was also a weak year for the campaign, reaching $170,000 of the $250,000 goal. Organizers hope for a big final push in the days leading up to Christmas.
One of the primary reasons the numbers are down, organizers said, is there simply arenB次元官网网址檛 enough volunteers to collect donations by kettle.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e having a hard time getting folks on them right now,B次元官网网址� Humble said. B次元官网网址淪tanding in the cold, or standing at all, with a bell for a while isnB次元官网网址檛 attractive to people.B次元官网网址�
Humble recognizes how strapped for cash people are these days, having seen previous donors coming in to get food hampers.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 crazy,B次元官网网址� Humble said. B次元官网网址淭he people that need it are in greater need this year, but the same thing that affects them is the same thing thatB次元官网网址檚 affecting donors.B次元官网网址�
Those who canB次元官网网址檛 give financially are encouraged to volunteer to man a kettle over the next week. Anyone interested can call 250-386-8521.
B次元官网网址淲e just want people to look at what theyB次元官网网址檙e able to do to make the difference,B次元官网网址� Humble said. B次元官网网址�
Toys, non-perishable food and warm winter clothing are also accepted as donations.
