Many Victoria charities spent the final days of their Christmas fundraising campaigns hoping to see more financial donations under the tree.

Times have been tough at the Salvation Army, which, as of Wednesday, had generated just $142,000 of the $250,000 it was hoping to raise at its red kettles in the Capital Region before Christmas Eve.

Donors have also been feeling the financial pinch and giving less this year.

B次元官网网址淭heir dollar has to stretch further just like everybody elseB次元官网网址檚,B次元官网网址� said Kyla Ferns, the Salvation ArmyB次元官网网址檚 special projects officer.

Kettle donations will pay for 1,500 Christmas food hampers for Greater Victoria families, up from 1,200 last year, as well as other programs and services.

Mustard Seed staff and volunteers also have their fingers crossed.

B次元官网网址淲e have a long way to go to reach our goal,B次元官网网址� said Brent Palmer, director of the VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Mustard Seed food bank.

With 7,000 people coming through food bank doors every month the pressure is on to keep the shelves full and programs going, up from the 4,000 people who needed food 10 years ago.

B次元官网网址淲e have a city to feed,B次元官网网址� Palmer said.

The charity is short by $500,000 of the $1.2 million it hoped to raise in November and December, a hefty chunk of the $2 million it needs every year.

Many Christmas charities and non-profits, however, are on track to meeting their goals.

C-FAX Santas Anonymous Society is doing well.

Its 12-hour radio fundraiser, called Miracle on Broad Street, raised $240,000 last Friday, exceeding expectations.

For others, such as Black PressB次元官网网址� Christmas charity, Pennies for Presents, donations to date are up slightly over last year.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e flooded with coins right now, which is fantastic,B次元官网网址� said chair of the PenniesB次元官网网址� committee Kyle Slavin.

In 2010, Pennies for Presents raised $12,000.

As of Wednesday, coins were yet to be tabulated. Slavin, however, predicted the total may be down this year but only slightly.