Red Kettle Campaign Falling Far Short Of Goal; Salvation Army Fears $840,000 Budget Shortfall

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - With three weeks left in the 2016 Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is only 25 percent toward achieving its $8.4 million goal to ensure it can serve metro Detroiters in need throughout the coming year.

Total contributions to-date are lagging behind projections to reach the season target. If this pace continues, The Salvation Army will have an $840,000 budget shortfall by the fundraiser's end on Dec. 31.

The Salvation Army is calling on the community to help make this year's fundraising campaign a success.

Volunteer opportunities are still available to ring bells at the 500 iconic storefront Salvation Army red kettles across metro Detroit. Kettle donations annually account for more than one-third of all contributions. With this year's goal, that's more than $2.5 million in jeopardy when kettles are unmanned.

Along with storefront red kettle donations, online and direct mail contributions, as well as major corporate and individual gifts, contribute to the annual end-of-the-year campaign goal. Supporters can make tax-deductible donations by:

• Visiting salmich.org
• Texting SALMICH to 41444
• Calling 877-SAL-MICH
• Sending a check or money order, made payable to The Salvation Army, to 16130 Northland Dr., Southfield, MI 48075

Volunteers can visit ringbell.org to register and can choose the community, location, date and time that's most convenient.

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit allocates $.87 of every dollar it raises to delivering food, shelter and other vital services. The Salvation Army also provides substance abuse treatment, after-school programs, emergency disaster services, legal aid and other support to move people to self-sufficiency.