Salvation Army kettle donations are down

Bell-ringer
Bob Reha volunteering as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Photo courtesy of Dan Gunderson

Cold weather and economic conditions are taking a toll on the Salvation Army's red kettles in Minnesota.

Salvation Army spokeswoman Annette Bauer says kettle donations across the state have taken a hit because of the cold temperatures and snow. She says donations are down about 30-thousand dollars from last year. Yet, at the same time, she says the need for services is up about 25 percent.

"We're going to hard-pressed to be able to serve everyone and we will absolutely do that," explains Bauer. "We'll do whatever it takes to make sure that every child that comes to us, every family that has child will get a Christmas gift this year."

Bauer says problems in the economy are also reflected in the lower donations. She says even if people can't donate money, they can donate time as a bell ringer.

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