Salvation Army nearing Red Kettle goal

Janel Schnieders makes a donation Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 in the Salvation Army kettle at Schnucks. Julie Jordan, a volunteer from First Christian Church, was ringing the bell.
Janel Schnieders makes a donation Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 in the Salvation Army kettle at Schnucks. Julie Jordan, a volunteer from First Christian Church, was ringing the bell.

Compared to where they were before Christmas Day, officials with the Salvation Army of Jefferson City are feeling better about reaching their goal for the annual Red Kettle Campaign.

Lt. Chris White, corps officer with the Salvation Army of Jefferson City, said even though the kettles are no longer outside stores they will be including donations given until Jan. 31 toward the overall campaign goal.

As of Thursday, they were at $264,500, or 98 percent of the $270,000 goal, leaving $5,500 left to raise.

On Christmas Eve, White said they were $43,000 short of their goal, compared to being $25,000 over the goal at that time the year before. He attributed the dip to bad weather keeping people from getting out and donating while they did their holiday shopping.

After the Christmas Day appeal, White said, a number of people walked into the main Salvation Army office to donate. This included two $5,000 donations, one from an individual and the other from a corporation, which helped close the gap.

The money raised during the campaign helps the Salvation Army throughout the year. Last year, the local organization served more than 40,000 meals, had more than 13,000 people sleep in its homeless shelter on Jefferson Street, and helped 8,400 people through its food pantry.

Donations can be mailed or taken to the Salvation Army at 937 Jefferson St. Donations also will be accepted online at give.salvationarmyusa.org/goto/JeffCity.