Salvation Army Lagging In Donations This Holiday Season
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Although the holidays usually inspire us to give more, the Salvation Army says donations are down this year.
The Salvation Army says more than half of its worship and service centers are behind in donations.
"We are not just Christmas people," said Gerald Johns, Div. Dir. with the Salvation Army. "We help throughout the year, whether its rent utilities, food, a plethora of different service."
But the red kettle campaign is crucial.
"It makes up about 70 percent of our fundraising efforts for the whole year," said Jennifer Blessings with the Salvation Army in Braddock. "So how well we do in the red kettle season is how well we can keep our programs throughout the year."
Allegheny County alone is nearly $38,000 behind where it was at this point last year.
Officials with the Salvation Army say donations will be used to help the local areas.
Additionally, you can donate online as well, at OnlineRedKettle.org.
Organizers say if they can't make their goals sometime in the middle of next year, they'll start running out of money, and fewer people will be helped.
The Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers and bell ringers.
Anyone who would like to volunteer in Allegheny County can call 412-446-1533 for more information.
You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter