The Salvation Army of the National Capital Area was given less time to station bell ringers in front of Giant Food stores this year, and Salvation Army National Capital Area Command spokesman Ken Forsythe says bell ringers collecting donations for the Red Kettle Campaign raised $270,000 this year compared to $667,000 last year.
The dramatic decrease represents a 59.5 percent drop.
"It certainly is not out of the question that there is a program that we might have to look at cutting back or eliminating," Forsythe says.
Giant Food spokesman James Miller says the grocery chain made a decision this year to open the door to more nonprofits.
Instead of having the Salvation Army out in front of stores throughout the season, the chain invited other charities as well, and Miller says the stores only allow one group to solicit at any given time.
Forsythe says the Salvation Army is grateful to all the stores that allow them to station bell ringers in front of their businesses -- Giant, Safeway, Wal-Mart and JC Penney. Miller says Giant hopes to meet with the Salvation Army's local arm to discuss plans for next year.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command came up about $408,000 short of its $1.6 million goal. Forsythe says donors can still get a tax deduction for 2010 if they give by midnight tonight.
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It goes to show you just how special the Eastern Shore is. While the rest of the nation saw a massive reduction, we had yet another record year.
It was a community effort we can all be proud of. Your "paying it forward" was a big help, I'm sure. Not everyone can give at the level you did or some of the other large businesses. It is the giving of time and spare change that really gets me. Some of those who seemed to have the least, always gave at my kettle. Maybe they "get it" because they've been there.
ReplyDeleteAll of us coming together - It is a beautiful thing.
thank your city council,as they pat themselves on the back for leaving your community a hollow shell.congrats on your community effort of coming together in a circle.happy hollowdays.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly a beautiful thing. My first year to volunteer but I enjoyed every moment of it and will continue to do so. Thanks to the Red Kettle team at the Salisbury Salvation Army for a job very well done. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI had to do mine online, because I no longer carry cash, it's all about using the debit card for transactions.
ReplyDeleteJoe - you are the reason for our sucess
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