CLEVELAND — The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland’s annual Red Kettle campaign is behind on donations.
The non-profit needs $120,000 more in donations to meet its goal of $650,000. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar donated helps fund services and programs. Some of which provide emergency food, housing and utility assistance and after school activities.
“That’s money we need. That’s in our budget,” said Major Thomas Applin, Divisional Secretary of The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland Area Services. “The money is spread out over the whole year. All of the programs we do have to be funded the whole year.”
Major Applin says without funding, the non-profit could face cutbacks.
“We would look first to see where we could cut support costs,” he explained. “Maybe we won’t replace a vehicle that we thought we were gonna replace this year or some piece of equipment.”
Cutbacks to the non-profit’s services and programs could also become reality, but Major Applin says his team is confident they will not be forced to make those cuts.
“We would have to struggle to figure it out but somehow we would figure it out,” Major Applin said. “In this community there are a lot of generous people and there are people who have the ability to help us meet our goal and we're confident that when they get the message and realize how important it is, they're going to pull through for us.”
Diane Barnette, who lives in Cleveland, tells News 5 she hopes the community steps up. As a member of the Salvation Army’s Senior Citizen Program, Barnette visits the Lorain Avenue location several times a week.
Barnette considers her peers at the Salvation Army her family.
“This is my salvation,” she said. “We share our stories, we share our family problems and we try to help and lift each other up.”
Without her family, she says she would be lost.
“We need the funds or where are we all going to be," Barnette said.
The Red Kettle campaign will end the night of Christmas Eve. Depending on how many donations are collected by that time, the Salvation Army will determine how to move forward.
For those looking to support The Salvation Army, there are a few options available:
● Text: ClevelandOH to 41444 to make a donation using a smart phone
● Go Online: SalvationArmyOhio.org for online donations
● Call: 1-800-Sal-Army
● Mail: Donate directly to The Salvation Army at 2507 E. 22nd Street, Cleveland OH 44115
To make a donation to assist The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland in serving families this holiday season, volunteer to stand at a kettle or for more information, call (216) 861-8185 or visit www.SalvationArmyCleveland.org.
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