Salvation Army Donations Down 30 Percent With Less Than Two Weeks Until Christmas
Posted December 15, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, charity agencies such as the Salvation Army are asking for your help in giving those less fortunate something to smile about this holiday.
Donations are down 30 percent this year, at a time when the economy is poor and the need has actually increased by 30 percent. That’s a huge discrepancy, and charities are hoping that getting the message out will help drive more companies and individuals to donate in these last few days before December 25.
Adding to the problems for the Salvation Army, specifically, a fire that gutted its warehouse this past May (pictured) and destroyed more than 100,000 toys that should’ve been handed out this holiday. And when the faltering economy sparked job losses and fears about the future, the number of donations shrank substantially.
One employee suggested that at this time of year the charity usually receives more than 5,000 toys a day, but this year a good day would be about 1,000 toys.
Officials with the charitable organizations are encouraging companies and small businesses to donate money that could be used to buy toys.
Just this past weekend, Variety Village announced it was being forced to lay people off and suspend certain programs for financial reasons.
In an effort to make it easier for those wishing to donate to do so, the Salvation Army this year has set up debit and credit machines at kettle donation spots for those not carrying cash.
On Monday, Breakfast Television set up an iKettle so viewers could help out by making an online donation. Here’s how.
For more information on how you can host an iKettle, visit www.salvationarmy.ca/ikettle
