Kettle Donations Need Salvation as Charity Takes a Beating from the Weather

Every year around this time, The Salvation Army puts out a press release letting people know they are only a certain percentage of where they need to be for the season. That they need people to visit their ubiquitous collection kettles.

And miraculously, they always make it.

This year, there may really be a problem.

Looking back at releases from the past few years, they are usually about three-quarters of the way to where they want to be. This year, they are only 52 percent of the way to their goal.

The Salvation Army says that the weather - which has played havoc with the region, canceling school four days over the past week - has also hit them really hard,

Their fundraising goal is $750,000. As of Wedensday, they had only raises about $389,000.

"We help over 80,000 people every year, and we are able to do this because of the donations we receive at Christmas time and at the kettles," says Captain Robert Steiner, Divisional Secretary for The Salvation Army Cascade Division. "We are worried that we won't reach our goal because of what it means for the people and families that we serve throughout the year.

"Donations keep our programs and services operating a high level."

A spokeswoman for The Salvation Army says that more than 50 percent of their annual operation expenses comes from the kettle campaign.

Kettles can be found at participating Fred Meyer, Safeway, Albertson's, Bi-Mart, BigLots, Fry's Electronics, Hobby Lobby, JcPenney, Macy's, Shopko, Walgreen's, and Walmart locations across the Portland Metro area.

You can also make a donation today by visiting a kettle in your community or go online to Portland.salvationarmy.org.

Photo courtesy The Salvation Army.