Jefferson City Salvation Army says it could cut programs without adequate Red Kettle donations
Alison Patton
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jefferson City Salvation Army is wrapping up the final hours of its Red Kettle Campaign on Wednesday, but the nonprofit says it needs even more donations to keep running its current programs.
Spokesperson Melinda Jennings said the goal was to raise $410,000, but as of Tuesday afternoon, the Salvation Army needed $76,000 to reach it.
“If we do not close this gap, we will be forced to make difficult decisions, including potentially reducing or cutting essential programs that support vulnerable families and individuals in our area,” Jennings said.
Salvation Army Major April Clarke said if the goal isn’t met, she might have to consider cutting programs or staff to fit operations into a tighter budget.
“We’re going to have to look at our budget and say, ‘Where can some cuts happen?’ and ‘Where can the biggest impacting with the least amount of felt impact be made?’,” Clarke said.
That could mean letting go of a part-time chef and instead relying on volunteers to help out in the kitchen, Clarke said.
The 2025 Red Kettle Campaign started on the 38th day of the 43-day federal government shutdown.
ABC 17 News spoke with Clarke in November, who said the Salvation Army was seeing an increased need among people who were relying on the free resources before the shutdown, furloughed workers and people who lost SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
On Wednesday, Clarke said people are still feeling that financial strain.
“Many people are living paycheck to paycheck, so even though they’re back to work, they’re not caught up on bills,” Clarke said. “They’re still using our food pantry, they’re still trying to alleviate some of the financial struggle that they encountered.”
The Red Kettle Campaign collections go until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, which is the last day volunteers will be accepting donations. However, people can still donate to the Red Kettle Campaign online and in person at 927 Jefferson St. through Dec. 31.