Despite a bountiful year for the Angel Tree and Adopt-a-Family programs, a shortfall in donations to the Salvation Army may result in budget tightening in 2015, according to Lt. Corps Officer Chris White.
As of Wednesday, donations to the Salvation Army totaled $228,506, which is nearly $29,000 short of the 2014 goal of $257,500, White said.
The outdoor red kettles, which "did really well," according to White, raised approximately $102,000 of the $228,506. The remaining donations are typically mailed to the Salvation Army.
At this point last year, the Salvation Army had raised $235,000, which was short of the 2013 goal of $263,000.
Though they had collected only 89 percent of last year's goal by Dec. 31, 2013, they managed to collect 96 percent of the total goal of $263,000 by the end of the campaign, he said.
"If we get to that point (96 percent) this year, we will be very happy," White said.
The campaign officially ends Jan. 15. Though the visible outdoor component of the Red Kettle Campaign has ceased for the year, individuals can still donate to the Red Kettle Campaign online.
The Salvation Army forecasts the amount it will receive in donations and then bases its budget off those projections. If donations fail to meet expectations, the army then alters the budget to reflect the money it expects to receive.
"Every single dollar (the Salvation Army does not receive) has to be eliminated somewhere. We try to be good stewards of what we have," he said.
Instead of a cutback in services, a shortfall would most likely cause a reduction in employee hours, White said.
According to White, a large percentage of the money raised funds the Salvation Army's 40-bed shelter and its community feeding program. The Salvation Army also provides social services including money toward rent and utility bills.
The Salvation Army gives clothing vouchers toward items in its thrift store, funds a church and ministry-related activities, as well as a food pantry. All donations from the Red Kettle Campaign fund these services.
White views the difficulty of reaching the goal and a growing need in the community as motivators for more efficient management of resources and greater effort toward achieving financial goals.
"Every year the need grows greater, while money is stretched further and further. It becomes harder to raise the same amount as the year before. For us, it makes us feel more determined to work harder ... while seeking to raise more to match the growing need for our services," he said.
As far as needs within specific programs, White has observed growing need for rent and utility bill assistance, and "our shelter is often filled to capacity," he said.
White said he "understands that people may give to other organizations."
The Salvation Army also received several, large, one-time donations last year, which were very helpful in moving closer to last year's goal but may create the appearance of a shortfall this year, he said.
Additionally, the red kettles at Living Windows usually collect a sizable amount of donations; however, the weather at this year's celebration was poor and may have affected donations.
"We had good weather all season but not on that day. It really did hurt us," White said.
Though the Salvation Army's monetary donations have not yet reached the goal, White characterized the community's gifts toward the Angel Tree and Adopt-a-Family programs as "a wonderful response."
Both the Angel Tree and Adopt-a-Family programs strive toward providing Christmas gifts for low-income families.
The Adopt-a-Family program served 36 families, while the Angel Tree program provided gifts for 358 children.
The Counter Kettle Campaign, which is similar to the Red Kettle Campaign, doubled its donations, compared to those of 2013, from $400 to more than $800. This campaign includes smaller red kettles that are located inside stores and restaurants. Dragon Kitchen raised the most money for the Counter Kettle Campaign this year.
Though the goal has not yet been met, White emphasized the prosperity of the Red Kettle Campaign and immense generosity toward the Salvation Army's endeavors.
"We just really want the community to know how grateful we are for the money we've raised. We are truly grateful and just want to finish strong and meet our goal to fully fund our services over the whole of next year."