116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Salvation Army behind in seasonal donations
CEDAR RAPIDS — With just two days remaining for bell ringers to collect donations, The Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids is lagging in its effort to raise $805,000 through its annual Red Kettle campaign.
As of Thursday, the organization had raised $518,154, about 65 percent of its goal and about $40,000 behind the amount raised at the same time last year.
Volunteer bell ringers are to be out with their red kettles until 4 p.m. Saturday. Those wishing to volunteer are asked to call (319) 364-9131.
Donations are being accepted through the end of the year. They can be made online at tsacedarrapids.org or mailed to The Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids, 1000 C Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.
'We're behind where we've been in the past years at this point,' said Lia Pontarelli, director of development and communications. 'Our kettle donations are down significantly. The biggest factor is the weather. It was too hot and then it was too cold.'
Pontarelli said changing shopping patterns and shoppers not carrying cash also affected donations. She added online and mailed donations also are down this year.
She said the money raised during the holiday season funds The Salvation Army's programs, including food and rent assistance, summer and after-school child care, free meals and disaster relief.
Pontarelli said officials may have to reduce services in the coming year if the campaign falls short. The Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids depends on donations to make up 48 percent of its annual budget.
'We look at our overall budget and figure out where we can cut and where we can be a little bit tighter,' Pontarelli said. 'Being a faith-based organization, we know that if we don't reach our goal, then God will provide for us.
'But it's a lot easier if He can provide early so we aren't stressing.'
l Comments: (319) 368-8516; makayla.tendall@thegazette.com
Lend a hand
To volunteer as a bell ringer for The Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids, call (319) 364-9131.
To make a donation, find a volunteer bell ringer through 4 p.m. Saturday, visit tsacedarrapids.org or mail donations to The Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids, 1000 C Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
A man places a donation into a red kettle as Salvation Army youth recreation coordinator Brad Weyer of Cedar rapids (left) and youth development coordinator Courtney Grau also of Cedar Rapids (right) ring bells Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 outside of the Johnson Ave. Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids. (Gazette file photo)
Jeannie Schneider of Cedar Rapids encourages Vermier Deal, 4, of Cedar Rapids as he takes a turn ringing the bell at the Salvation Army's red kettle at the Johnson Avenue Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. Schneider asks young children for help ringing the bell and rewards them with candy canes. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett (from left) holds the Red Kettle for Linda Hinzman of Cedar Rapids while she puts in money as Mayor Corbett rings a bell for The Salvation Army Red Kettle at the Johnson Avenue Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. The mayors of Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha were ringing bells at Red Kettles in their communities. The area mayors challenged each other to see which community will give more to their Elected Official. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
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