Salvation Army donations down from last year; campaign ends mid January

FARGO – The local Salvation Army’s red kettles have been a little emptier this season.

“We’re down about $25,000 from last year,” said Captain Bill Mealy, pastor and administrator at the Salvation Army.

Bell-ringers will still be out with their kettles, seeking donations until Monday afternoon.

Mealy said this season’s goal is $825,000, and there is currently $615,000 in donations.

Last year’s donations totaled to a little over $900,000, Mealy said.

The Christmas Campaign donation goals and totals come from a compilation of red kettle donations, mail appeal donations and checks that are sent straight to the Salvation Army.

Mealy said that while the bell-ringers will be finished Monday, the campaign is open through Jan. 15.

The money from Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign goes to providing people in need with services like the daily feeding program, Christmas toy and food baskets, transportation, rent assistance, utility assistance and Thanksgiving baskets.

“We help to give people a hand up when there are problems in their life that have caused struggles,” Mealy said.

The Salvation Army’s red kettles are located at Wal-Mart, West Acres, Hornbacher’s, Sun Mart, Kmart and Walgreens.

Donations by check can be made out to “Salvation Army” and sent to 304 Roberts St. N., Fargo ND 58102.

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