Kettle crunch time
The Salvation Army’s iconic red kettles are only out for a few weeks each year, and they fund 80 per cent of the mission’s year-round programs.
But this year donations are falling about 30 per cent short of the North Shore Salvation Army’s $300,000 goal, Capt. Glyndon Cross told The Outlook.
“The community always comes through in the clutch and what we strive to do is always be creative,” said Cross.
“We will make due with what we get, however, if we receive our budget we will fulfill the need for what we see out there.”
Feeling the donation pinch during the holiday season isn’t new to the Salvation Army. In 2010, the North Shore chapter came up $70,000 short. Each year, however, they see about a 30 per cent increase in need for their wide-ranging services.
Those interested in donating to the Salvation Army this Christmas can do so in person at kettle locations and the Salvation Army building at 105 W. 12th St., at the till in both Wal-Mart and London Drugs, as well as online at northshoresalvationarmy.com.
And until Dec. 24, an anonymous businessman has offered to match any donations made to the kettle at Plaza Kettle in West Vancouver.
Cross said the online donations will continue to be available for a few weeks after Christmas.
Some of the programs supported by the annual kettle drive are kids’ camps, back-to-school programs and the food bank. A complete list is available at the aforementioned website.
skolenko@northshoreoutlook.com
twitter.com/seankolenko
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