Photo Credit: EverythingGP

By Shane Clausing

Salvation Army

Salvation Army short donations before Christmas

Dec 19, 2019 | 1:35 PM

The Salvation Army in Grande Prairie is short $169,733 of their goal of raising $525,000 for the Christmas season, and is asking for the community’s help.

“We’re finding that donations are not coming in like the used to, especially on the corporate side and large donations through our mailing campaign. We are seeing a good steady donation through our kettles but that’s only half of our campaign,” said Peter Kim, Executive Director of the Salvation Army.

Kim noted that there is usually an uptick in donations as the days lead up to Christmas time, and some donations even trickle through after Christmas and into the new year.

The Salvation Army uses the donations to help operate the Grande Prairie Food Bank, the Community Kitchen, help with emergency disaster services and send kids to summer camps.

Kim spoke about how the money raised over the five weeks leading up to Christmas time impacts how the Salvation Army operates throughout the year.

“The donations go help and support the work of the Salvation Army all year round. Donations can come in all year round. The five weeks we campaign makes a big difference on how we operate.”

Donations might be behind the Salvation Army’s goal, but the Food Bank has seen an uptick in donations.

“We are seeing an increase in food hamper registrations. We are already at 760, compared to last year we are a little more ahead. We are also giving out 480 toy hampers and 120 gift cards. When you add all of that up that’s over 1000 hampers and toys all put together for households.”

If you’re interested in donating to the Salvation Army, donations can be made through their mail campaign, through their website, or in person at the Grande Prairie Food Bank.