Red Kettle Donations 24 Percent Shy of $1.6 Million Goal

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command will need to collect $100,000 a day thru Christmas Eve in order to hit their $1.6 million goal for their annual Red Kettle Campaign. 

As of Dec.13, reports from the organization show collections totaling in $675,744, $924,256 short of the goal. According to area commander major Steve Morris, $900,000 is the approximate annual cost of running one branch of Salvation Army. The National Capital Area Command is located in Germantown. 

 According to Salvation Army representative Ken Forsythe, last year's collection was stopped Dec. 19 because of the winter storm, which brought about seven inches of snow to the area. Regardless, the Salvation Army came within 10 percent of it's $1.5 million target last year, collecting a total of $1.35 million.

However, Forsythe said the organization has received approximately 21 percent fewer donations as compared to the same time last year. Morris is primarily concerned about how profits will affect services the Salvation Army can offer. 

"At this moment, our main concern is for the tens of thousands of clients we serve throughout the region. They are counting on all of us. So, we are asking everyone to do what they can by dropping in loose change, dollar bills and even checks into the Red Kettle," Morris said in a Dec. 14 news release.

In November, the Salvation Army reported profits were down 32 percent. Forsythe sited Giant's new solicitation policy as a contributing factor. The policy reduces the number of days the Salvation Army can fundraise outside of Giant stores to one week in November and one week in December, four hours each day. Last year, the National Capital Area Command reported $232,378 in profits, $123,552 of which came from solicitation outside of Giant stores. Giant said they have instituted the policy change to improve customer shopping experience. 

"We receive hundreds of requests from these groups requesting permission to use the areas outside of our stores for fundraising, education purposes, and to collect signatures," said Giant spokesperson Jamie Miller. "In order to best serve our customers, and not hinder their shopping experience, it is necessary that we operate within established guidelines."

The Salvation Army  will be collecting donations outside of area stores until Christmas Eve. 

Editor's Note: If you haven't seen a Red Kettle in your area, and would like to donate to the program, you can donate online at SalArmyDC.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. You can also text GIVE to 85944 and a $10 donation will be automatically made out to the Salvation Army.