Salvation Army "Red Kettle" Fundraising Down for Second Straight Year
By: Michaela MacDonald
Updated: November 29, 2012
The Salvation Army relies heavily on their kettle program each year for fundraising, but now for the second year in a row, donations are down across Lubbock.
Grider says this is concerning because the "Red Kettle" program makes up a substantial amount of their yearly budget.
"Through Tuesday we are already $15,000 behind, or down below what we are trying to raise this year," said Salvation Army Major Tim Grider.
Grider says they've seen a decrease in the size and amount of donations this year.
"We would get fives, tens, but now we are getting twos or ones and pocket change. And so that certainly says something to me as far as the sign of the economy," said Grider.
Jamie has been a bell ringer for twelve years and collects more donations than anyone else in Lubbock. He too has seen a decrease.
Grider thinks the possibility of a fiscal cliff is making donors think twice.
"People are being conservative, they are holding, they are waiting to see what is going to happen with the fiscal cliff and what that is going to do to them personally, so that is effecting our kettles," said Grider.
But its not just the state of the economy holding back donations. The Lubbock Salvation Army has a shortage of bell-ringers. Of the 36 kettle locations in Lubbock, they've only been able to man 29.
"So certainly we are putting the plug out there that those who are looking for temporary employment, looking for something to help them Christmas-wise as far as income. We are here," said Grider.
First-time bell-ringer Michael Nelson is taking advantage of this opportunity during the holiday season.
"I am doing this to help those less fortunate than me and my family," said Nelson.
If you are interested in being a bell-ringer either paid or volunteer you can call the Salvation Army here in Lubbock at 806-765-9434.
Grider says the Salvation Army is looking for church or civic groups that could volunteer to be bell-ringers for a day. He says especially in the tough economy, they need all the help they can get.
Grider says this is concerning because the "Red Kettle" program makes up a substantial amount of their yearly budget.
"Through Tuesday we are already $15,000 behind, or down below what we are trying to raise this year," said Salvation Army Major Tim Grider.
Grider says they've seen a decrease in the size and amount of donations this year.
"We would get fives, tens, but now we are getting twos or ones and pocket change. And so that certainly says something to me as far as the sign of the economy," said Grider.
Jamie has been a bell ringer for twelve years and collects more donations than anyone else in Lubbock. He too has seen a decrease.
Grider thinks the possibility of a fiscal cliff is making donors think twice.
"People are being conservative, they are holding, they are waiting to see what is going to happen with the fiscal cliff and what that is going to do to them personally, so that is effecting our kettles," said Grider.
But its not just the state of the economy holding back donations. The Lubbock Salvation Army has a shortage of bell-ringers. Of the 36 kettle locations in Lubbock, they've only been able to man 29.
"So certainly we are putting the plug out there that those who are looking for temporary employment, looking for something to help them Christmas-wise as far as income. We are here," said Grider.
First-time bell-ringer Michael Nelson is taking advantage of this opportunity during the holiday season.
"I am doing this to help those less fortunate than me and my family," said Nelson.
If you are interested in being a bell-ringer either paid or volunteer you can call the Salvation Army here in Lubbock at 806-765-9434.
Grider says the Salvation Army is looking for church or civic groups that could volunteer to be bell-ringers for a day. He says especially in the tough economy, they need all the help they can get.
