The Salvation Army is falling behind on its holiday season fundraising goal, but Lieutenant Kevin Woods said he hopes to finish strong in the days before Christmas.
“We’re holding our own right now,” Woods said, but donations tend to taper off in the week leading up to Dec. 25. “If we can keep it up then, we’ll do alright, but it all depends on the next week and a half.”
Woods said the Salvation Army started fundraising around Thanksgiving with a goal of $10,000. “This is our 30 days to make up enough for the whole year,” Woods said. Although he didn’t know how much had been raised so far, Woods said the nonprofit is still far from its goal.
The Salvation Army has seen the need for support in Haines “steadily climb” this season. Woods said he thinks need has gone up due to the high cost of living, coupled with a smaller permanent fund dividend.
Woods ordered enough food for 75 holiday food boxes last year and ran out. He ordered enough for 100 boxes this year.
Each box has food to make a full holiday meal for a family of four, including mashed potatoes, green beans, yams, pies and a main dish. Because the nonprofit has to order food in advance, Woods said he hopes Salvation Army can fundraise enough to cover the costs.
“We ordered on good faith that we’re going to get enough money in to be able to pay for it,” Woods said.
He said the Haines School food drive helps to restock the pantry shelves and get Salvation Army through the rest of the winter after the busy holiday season.
Salvation Army partnered with the Uglys of Haines this year to distribute toys donated during the “Gifts for Grub” dinner. Toys will be distributed Dec. 19 and 20, and food boxes will go out Dec. 21.
Woods said he is still looking for volunteers to staff the red kettle at Howsers IGA. Other countertop kettles are located at local stores.
Call Salvation Army at 766-2470 for assistance or to make a donation. “It’s nice to have people in Haines stepping up, we just need to finish strong,” he said. “There’s no rest until Christmas Eve.”