Charity in Texarkana faces budget shortfall
TEXARKANA — The Salvation Army of Texarkana is taking steps to cut back on spending after two years of finishing its fiscal year with a shortfall.
“We end our fiscal year Sept. 30, and we ended up about the same as the year before, about $100,000 in the hole,” said Maj. David Feeser, who took the position as Salvation Army co-leader in July, along with his wife Maj. Louise Feeser.
The organization has covered the shortfalls with money it had in savings.
“We had money from previous years in reserve,” David Feeser said. “We would use it for building maintenance and things like that, so we really had to dip into our savings just to operate. So now we don’t have money to be able to take care of those things and it could affect us in the future.”
The Salvation Army is taking steps to get back within budget, including not hiring for two open positions, one full-time and one part-time, that Feeser said will save the organization about $40,000.
“We’re already part of the way there, but we could really use those positions. It would really help us out. One was an extra case worker and the other was a maintenance janitor position,” Feeser said.
Other moves they’re making include taking steps to lower utility costs and being more prudent when purchasing food.
“We’re looking at your standard things. One big expense for us in the food pantry. When we buy food on a monthly basis, we question if we really need the items. We have to be more conscious of those kind of purchases, so that’s the first thing that’s getting cut into,” he said.
If necessary, the Salvation Army will consider cost-saving measures that might affect its programs like the Randy Sams Outreach Shelter or the Boys and Girls Club.
“I’m a person that having to even consider this is so foreign to me. We want to help out. When we’re in a position where we can’t help out, it makes us feel so helpless, so we need to get ourselves in a position where we’re able to help. … We’re not going to be able to end this coming year the way we did the last two years. We’ve got to cut, and hopefully maybe we can raise some money to cover the difference,” Feeser said.
Feeser asked the community to remember the Salvation Army this holiday season as they pass the red kettles that will be set up in front of local retailers.
“We’re coming into Christmas. Instead of putting $1 in kettles, maybe they could put $2. Every little bit helps us to get ahead,” Feeser said.
The Red Kettle Drive kicks off Nov. 3.
In addition to cash donations, the Salvation Army could use donations of food, diapers and hygiene items for its homeless shelter.
“People can also donate clothing. We use that to give out to people or sell in the thrift store. Those funds come back to the shelter, so making a purchase there would help out,” Feeser said.
Donations can be dropped off at 404 E. Fourth St., Texarkana. Additional information is available at (870) 774-2701.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Little Rock’s Lone Star Diamonds Chapter will dedicate an interpretive panel marker at La Petite Roche Plaza at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 to commemorate the contributions of Moses and Stephen F. Austin to the Arkansas Territory and Little Rock.
The funds for the project were secured by the local chapter through a grant approved by the general organization of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The plaza is located at the foot of the Junction Bridge in the River Market District. The marker is at the foot of the bridge along the riverbank.
Moses Austin built some of the first structures near the site in 1819 and 1820.
His son, Stephen F. Austin, was appointed judge for the First Circuit Court on July 15, 1820, by the Arkansas territorial governor, but resigned after only a few months.
Stephen F. Austin is remembered as the “Father of Texas,” fulfilling Moses Austin’s goal of colonizing the territory.