Tallahassee Salvation Army donations are down 25 percent this year compared to last year. Its annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign funds its programs for low-income residents and disaster relief.
It’s been a tough money-raising year for the local Salvation Army chapter.
Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew washed out the chapter’s annual golf tournament - ironically an effort to raise disaster relief funds.
Now there are three fewer Christmas Kettle locations after a business changed its solicitation policy at its stores in Tallahassee.
Salvation Army Lieutenant Ryan Meo said that makes donations to the kettles more vital than ever. He said the deficit endangers the emergency assistance the nonprofit group gives to Leon, Franklin, Gadsden and Wakulla counties.
“You can just visit any one of our locations where we’re ringing the bell at and that would be at most of your Publixs and all of your Walmarts, Bass Pro Shops," he said. "It’s not too late to put a handful of change into one of our buckets.”
People can also donate online. The fundraiser goes through Christmas Eve.
