WATSONVILLE — Every year, the Salvation Army sends its bell ringers out into communities around the U.S., hoping that passers-by will drop their change into red kettles to help fund the organization’s activities.
This includes providing hot meals, groceries and shelter services for low-income and homeless people.
And normally, donors come through. Last year, the program in Santa Cruz County netted some $51,000.
This year, however, donations are falling short, which has Salvation Army leaders worried. Red Kettle donations as of Dec. 10 were more than $8,000 below those of last year.
Worse, the organization’s adopt-a-family program – for which 275 families receive Christmas toys for their children – is also lagging behind previous years, and organizers are sorely in need of gifts.
Salvation Army Capt. Harold Laubach stressed that he appreciates every donation the organization receives.
“We’re not complaining,” he said. “But we have units all over that aren’t doing well.”
According to Laubach, the KSBW Share Your Holiday event on Dec. 8 raised just $41,000 for Watsonville, compared to $54,000 last year.
Laubach theorized that this year’s shortfalls could come from donor fatigue, after residents dug into their pockets to contribute to the victims of the recent massive fires in California and hurricanes on the East Coast.
“A lot of people helped out this year,” he said. “Over and over. But all these things are straining our resources.”
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Anyone who wants to donate can place money into a Salvation Army red kettle found in locations across Watsonville. New, unwrapped toys for the adopt-a-family program can be brought to the main office at 214 Union St. The Angel Tree program is centered at the Capitola Mall.
For information, visit watsonville.salvationarmy.org.
