Red Kettle Campaign nears an end, but funds down by $100K
By Brandi Makuski
The Salvation Army of Steven’s Point Hope Center is struggling to meet its Christmas fundraising goal for 2021.
With just a week left in this year’s Red Kettle Campaign, donations to the red kettles are currently down by almost half, according to Ed Wilson, director of the Salvation Army of Stevens Point.
Since launching in early November, the campaign has raised $137,811.86 and needs to raise an additional $112,188.14 before it can reach this year’s goal of $250,000.
Trisha Steinhorst, media and fundraiser manager for the Hope Center, said the organization knew 2021 would be a hard year for raising funds, due in large part to the pandemic.
“But we didn’t think it would be down this much,” she said.
Wilson said he was “concerned” that donations were down, but he’s still hopeful the community will dig deep over the next few days.
“This community has a history of putting its hands and feet in service of its prayers and supporting The Salvation Army’s efforts to help our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” Wilson said.
Since opening its Stevens Point Hope Center more than 30 years ago, the Salvation Army has relied upon bellringers and donations each holiday season to keep its doors open. The funds raised allow the Salvation Army to offer a wide array of social services, including emergency assistance, housing, emergency shelter, emergency disaster services, and Christmas assistance.
In 2020 alone, the Hope Center served over 19,944 meals, provided over 8,622 nights of shelter and 603 food baskets, and helped 121 households with rental assistance.
The center can’t continue without community support, Wilson said.
“Based on the increased service we’ve already provided this year due to the pandemic, we expect to serve even more people this holiday season,” he said. “COVID-19 has not only created a much bigger demand for us to meet but has also decreased the number of traditional Red Kettles on street corners and at store entrances.”
To make a donation:
- Visiting SAStevensPoint.org to donate online
- Texting SHELTER to 24365 to donate by phone
- Sending a check to The Salvation Army Stevens Point Hope Center, 1600 Briggs Street, Stevens Point, Wis. 54481