Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign currently $800,000 behind last year’s totals

This holiday season, The Salvation Army’s Del Oro Division has raised about $ 800,000 less with its iconic Red Kettle Campaign compared to last year. In 2019, the nonprofit brought in $2.4 million to support Christmas assistance and fund programs throughout the year in Northern California and Northern Nevada. So far this year, The Salvation Army has brought in just over $1.6 million. With just two days left in the campaign, the nonprofit is asking those in the community who are able, to please give and support their neighbors in need.

“This year has been unique and difficult. With only about half of the red kettles being allowed to be placed at stores and fewer volunteers signing up to help, our kettle income is down,” said Major Ivan Wild, Salvation Army Divisional Commander. “Thankfully, with the generosity of the community and our dedicated staff, we have been able to meet the immense need in 2020. We hope that support continues so we can continue serving at that level in 2021.”

Due to the pandemic, the need has been greater than we’ve seen in recent history. The demand for Salvation Army services is way up. In some communities, the need has increased over 200 percent compared to the same time last year. In the days leading up to Christmas, The Salvation Army is providing assistance to thousands of families, through food boxes, toys, Christmas trees and more to help relieve some of the financial burden of the holidays. But once Christmas is over, the need won’t go away, and neither will The Salvation Army.

The Red Kettle Campaign provides a majority of funding for Salvation Army programs year-round. The nonprofit helps feed the hungry, house the homeless, provide toys to children on Christmas, help adults overcome addictions and reunite families, provides rent and utility assistance, and even responds to disasters, like wildfires and floods.

The best way the community can support The Salvation Army, is to make a monetary gift. Go to VirtualRedKettle.org, choose a location, and donate. All of the funds given will stay in that community to help parents, children, seniors and anyone in need without discrimination. Together, we can not only rescue Christmas, but help each other through these trying times.