CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army is sending out an SOS. Our Christmas Kettle fundraising campaign is running seriously behind last year's figures, and we need the public and local businesses to help. The annual Christmas Kettle campaign helps to support the services provided by The Salvation Army year-round.
Every community across the Division provides general social services to families in their communities who are in need of food, clothing, housing assistance, emergency disaster needs and much more. Specialized services are provided in accordance with community need and may include homeless shelters, feeding programs, and after school programs and senior citizen services etc.
Changing shopping patterns, store closings and shoppers who don't carry cash have been having a negative affect on Kettle fundraising for several years, but this year we seem to be seeing it more. According to Major James Jones of the McKeesport Service Center, his kettle funds are down more than $10,000 vs last year. He attributes this to a major retailer closing a store that had always been a prime location for his bell ringers. Store closings, mean less available sites for kettle stands and this, combined with a lack of volunteers to help ring the bells at kettle stand locations is affecting every unit across the Division.
Similar to McKeesport, Johnstown is down nearly $25,000; New Kensington and Altoona are both down $13,000; Sharon $11,000 and Washington $9,000 to name just a few.
The fundraising goal for all Western Pennsylvania is $2.5 Million. Right now, we are at just 25% of that goal.
How can local businesses and the public help?
If you are a business owner, you could host a kettle stand in front of your business, or place a donation jar on your counter; you could engage your employees in a volunteer activity to ring the bell and man a kettle location.
Volunteer bell ringers and additional kettle sites are always needed. Please contact your local Salvation Army for more information. In Allegheny County, please call Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Brown at 412.446.1548.
Everyone can donate to the campaign even if you don't see a kettle in your neighborhood. You can give from the comfort of your home or office by contributing to our Online Red Kettle. To help even more, it's easy to set up your own red kettle and ask your contacts to contribute online as well. Corporations can host company kettles and set up departments as teams to organize a fun internal competition. Conduct your own kettle campaign or donate yourself at www.salvationarmy-wpa.org. For more information or help with Online Kettles, please contact Lauren Brant at 412.446.1644.
Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 129 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.
SOURCE The Salvation Army Western PA Division
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