News

Salvation Army Falls Short

Updated Thursday, January 03, 2013

  Print        Email     

For the second year, local Salvation Army citadels fall short more than $100,000 of their fundraising goal and this shortfall could have a big impact on the upcoming year for the people they help.

January 3, 2012
Southern Tier (WENY) - For the second year, local Salvation Army citadels fall short more than $100,000 of their fundraising goal and this shortfall could have a big impact on the upcoming year for the people they help. Every year the Salvation Army helps thousands of local families make ends meet, but this year, it's the Salvation Army that needs help.
     Both Chapters in Elmira and Corning fell short of their monetary goals this year, and that could mean cuts to programs. Suzalyn Hoffmeier lives in Corning with her two children. She says the salvation army is a big help when it comes to making ends meet.
     “The people here are great the ladies here are awsome they'll talk to you about anything. They always remember your kids and ask you how they're doing,” says Suzalyn.
     The Salvation Army in Corning is struggling. They missed their $233,000 fundraising goal, and the red kettles brought in $11,000 less than last year. That money goes towards helping struggling families pay rent, have clothes and eat. Captain John Merchant thinks this years national fiscal issues may have contributed to the problem locally.
     “The only thing that I can really think of is the fiscal cliff, and people being really worried what kind of taxes they are going to be paying and what kind of money is going to be available next year,” says Merchant.
     Major Craig Haggerty saw the same thing in Elmira, falling 20 percent short.
    “We'll just have to tighten our budget, lower our thermostats just a little bit, on and on just like everybody else does it,” says Haggerty.
     But in the end the Salvation Army will keep working to pull through for those who need it the most.
     “I'm going to keep praying and hope money comes in in the next couple of weeks, I'm working on a new budget to see what else I can crunch,” says Merchant.
     “I think people will step up and get things going, even I stick a little bit of money in the salvation army kettle when I'm going out of the store, event he kids do it too,” says Hoffmeier.
     Both Salvation Army chapters in Elmira and Corning still could use as much help as they can get.

 

Go to https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/page.aspx?pid=207#location and select a city and state.