$100K Fundraising Shortfall Threatens Salvation Army Services
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: February 7, 2013
The red buckets and bells are the Salvation Army's signature during the Christmas season, but the kettle's crop in Central Arkansas rang up $100,000 less than last year.
"Those dollars shrinking and trying to provide the same level of services is a real challenge," said Major Allan Hill, Area Commander.
Despite out-of-this-world efforts by 700 volunteers to raise additional dollars during the Red Kettle Campaign, store schedules cut down the time the Army had to collect outside stores during the shopping season.
Hill said we're now seeing that impact on the bottom line.
"You start adding all these pieces together and go 'Whoa'," he said. "We get a little concerned."
Every dollar is just a drop in the bucket, but every red cent is a service.
"That's what we remember -- we made a difference here we've got to fight to make sure we continue to make a difference," Hill said.
It isn't merely money. It's presents under the tree for kids, hot food in the bellies of the hungry, and for Shaun Lemtgaard, it's a place to hang his hat at night.
"It's a place to stay I don't have to go from shelter to shelter. I have a place to put my stuff," he said. "Before I would have to carry everything I had around with me all day. It was inconvenient at best."
Thanks to the Salvation Army, Lemtgaard is receiving the medical help he needs to get back on his feet.
"You wonder how you got down to this point," he said. "But they [Salvation Army] are here to help you. If you can get past asking for help, they'll do just about anything for you."
But with the Army facing a funding shortfall, and without additional donations, knowing whose life not to change is the tough call on the table.
"If there's a worthy cause to donate to it would be the Salvation Army," Lemtgaard said.
To put it into perspective of how many people could be affect by a cut in services, the Salvation Army anticipates it will serve 85,000 meals in the next year. It estimates more than 2,500 families will need help with food, utilities, and clothing.
Another 3,500 veterans will receive a visit from groups of Salvation Army volunteers as part of its VA outreach program. And that's a lot of lives wrapped up in a bottom line.
Hill met with the Salvation Army Board to discuss the financial situation for the nonprofit. They're hoping that by hosting a spring fundraiser they can help make ends meet to avoid cutting services.
To make a donation to the Salvation Army online, click here.
You can also mail a check donation to:
Little Rock - Central Arkansas Area Command
P.O. Box 1897
Little Rock, AR 72203
"Those dollars shrinking and trying to provide the same level of services is a real challenge," said Major Allan Hill, Area Commander.
Despite out-of-this-world efforts by 700 volunteers to raise additional dollars during the Red Kettle Campaign, store schedules cut down the time the Army had to collect outside stores during the shopping season.
Hill said we're now seeing that impact on the bottom line.
"You start adding all these pieces together and go 'Whoa'," he said. "We get a little concerned."
Every dollar is just a drop in the bucket, but every red cent is a service.
"That's what we remember -- we made a difference here we've got to fight to make sure we continue to make a difference," Hill said.
It isn't merely money. It's presents under the tree for kids, hot food in the bellies of the hungry, and for Shaun Lemtgaard, it's a place to hang his hat at night.
"It's a place to stay I don't have to go from shelter to shelter. I have a place to put my stuff," he said. "Before I would have to carry everything I had around with me all day. It was inconvenient at best."
Thanks to the Salvation Army, Lemtgaard is receiving the medical help he needs to get back on his feet.
"You wonder how you got down to this point," he said. "But they [Salvation Army] are here to help you. If you can get past asking for help, they'll do just about anything for you."
But with the Army facing a funding shortfall, and without additional donations, knowing whose life not to change is the tough call on the table.
"If there's a worthy cause to donate to it would be the Salvation Army," Lemtgaard said.
To put it into perspective of how many people could be affect by a cut in services, the Salvation Army anticipates it will serve 85,000 meals in the next year. It estimates more than 2,500 families will need help with food, utilities, and clothing.
Another 3,500 veterans will receive a visit from groups of Salvation Army volunteers as part of its VA outreach program. And that's a lot of lives wrapped up in a bottom line.
Hill met with the Salvation Army Board to discuss the financial situation for the nonprofit. They're hoping that by hosting a spring fundraiser they can help make ends meet to avoid cutting services.
To make a donation to the Salvation Army online, click here.
You can also mail a check donation to:
Little Rock - Central Arkansas Area Command
P.O. Box 1897
Little Rock, AR 72203
