A shortfall of about $45,000 in the annual Tree of Lights Campaign will result in a tighter budget in the upcoming year for the Jefferson City Salvation Army, according to Maj. Kevin Cedervall.
Mail-in donations and the Red Kettle campaign collections raised $218,389 this holiday season, but the goal was $263,600.
Cedervall attributed the shortfall to a shorter holiday shopping season and poor weather.
"We usually have good luck on Fridays and Saturdays, but we did very poorly at times," he said.
The Salvation Army's spending in 2014 may reflect the lesser amount of donations collected this season, he said.
"The budget will be a little tight this year unless we see an increase in donations. We will look at funding sources to supplement this and help us out," Cedervall said.
The campaign officially ends on Jan. 15 to allow donors to use the contributions as tax deductions.
"Hopefully, we'll get last-minute, year-end gifts," Cedervall said. "They can add up quickly before the tax season," he said.
Compared with other campaigns, he believes the outcome of the local Tree of Lights Campaign is "... pretty close to average."
Last year's Tree of Lights collection also failed to reach its target, an issue that prompted Salvation Army officials to reduce this year's goal.
The Salvation Army had collected $222,035 by Jan. 2 last year, falling short of the 2013 campaign goal of $270,000.
"We scaled back the goal this year because they had a rough year last year," Cedervall said.
This year's number comes amid a downward trend of giving from $255,000 in 2011, $245,000 in 2012 and down to $218,389 in 2013.
Though this lessening of income has not affected services significantly, Cedervall has made some less visible adjustments.
"We've been looking at ways to provide the same amount of services at a basically cheaper expense. A lot of it is tightening our belts right now. If it keeps going this way, we'll have to consider what we can do," he said.
In addition to the Tree of Lights Campaign, the Salvation Army coordinates two other holiday initiatives: the Adopt-A-Family and Angel Tree programs, both of which distribute Christmas gifts to local families unable to afford them. Compared to the outcome of the Tree of Lights Campaign, the Adopt-A-Family and Angel Tree programs "went pretty well," he said.
Cedervall believes the "active giving" attribute of the Adopt-A-Family and Angel Tree programs ensures their continued vitality, despite the financial shortcomings of other programs.
"It's something people can do as a group. They buy toys, wrap them up, and bring them in. It's an easier program to sell than straight money," Cedervall said.
While Cedervall has observed a small increase in the number of families adopted, he also has seen a 25 percent increase in enrollment in the two gift-giving programs from 170 families to more than 200 families.
"It (the need) is a big concern of ours. It's scary when we see it," he said.
Cedervall believes layoffs and reductions of workers' hours may induce a greater amount of need around the holiday season. "We've had a lot of people with a rough time coming in," he said.
As an example of a factor that increased need this year, Cedervall mentioned the October closing of the RR Donnelley plant, which terminated the positions of 475 employees.
"We're repeatedly seeing increased need. When it happens, we have to find funds to do it," he said.