The annual Salvation Army Red Kettle fundraising drive in the Fox Valley, which is moving into its home stretch, is unlikely to meet this year’s financial goals, officials said.
The drive ends Dec. 24.
In Aurora, Salvation Army Major Corps Officer Joaquin Rangel said that the drive began in early November, but that just under $40,000 has been collected as of Tuesday toward an adjusted goal this year of $188,000.
“At this point, we don’t see making our goal. I wish I could inform you of better news, but we are way, way behind,” Rangel said Tuesday morning. “We also have the challenge of finding people to ring bells. It’s been difficult, even harder than last year.”
Rangel said there are spots for nearly 40 bell-ringers but seldom are there more than eight working at a time.
“We have 20 spots, most with two doors, so we could use up to 40 people sometimes, but right now we have seven or eight kettle workers,” he said. “We started small this year but some quit because of the weather and some others couldn’t handle it for different reasons.”
Rangel said the Salvation Army isn’t alone in looking for workers.
“I see signs of ‘Help Wanted’ everywhere so it’s not just us that needs help,” he said.
Steve Hawkins, who serves as the resource development director for the Tri-City Salvation Army Corps, which includes the St. Charles, Batavia and Geneva area, said things as of Tuesday also looked bleak, with just $25,000 collected during the Red Kettle drive so far, although thankfully, a windfall is coming.
“We have two corporate match days which are going to give us a big bump,” Hawkins said. “We have Colonial Cafe which matches up to $25,000 on Dec. 14 and the Shodeen Family Foundation matches up to $25,000 on Dec. 21 and that will make our numbers a lot healthier, but we’ll still be behind.”
The Tri-City Red Kettle campaign began on Nov. 2. Its financial goal was adjusted down from the $200,000 collection forecast that was not met in 2023 to $185,000 this season.
Kevin Stiritz of St. Charles was working the Red Kettle post at the Jewel/Osco at 652 Kirk Road in St. Charles on Tuesday morning and described his spot “as a very, very good location,” adding that “at least two people out of 10 that stop give something.”
However, he said he “wouldn’t be surprised if the Salvation Army didn’t make its goal.”
“I can tell you why. No card readers,” he said. “We need people to be able to swipe credit cards. Unlike years ago, people don’t carry cash anymore. Nobody has coins or bills on them and I know they could use more bell-ringers too.”
Rangel said “it’s all about accepting the reality of things today” regarding people not carrying cash.
“That’s the way it is and it’s better not to fight with it and find ways to encourage people to use the QR code” at the kettle sites to donate, he said.
Another problem as far as donations, Hawkins said, is that “people aren’t shopping as much as they used to.”
“There’s Amazon and Door Dash delivering groceries and having all presents delivered than going to stores,” he said.
Both Rangel and Hawkins said the biggest impact of the expected campaign shortfall will be on funds available to help those in need of help paying their rent or mortgage.
“There is only so much I can do to control expenses,” Rangel said. “You watch here and there and the only thing we can do is to lower the financial assistance we provide. We’re blessed to continue with the food bank but the financial assistance and helping people with rents and mortgages, we used to help with $1,500 or $1,200 or whatever the amount was but perhaps we’ll have to go half of that.”
If there is a silver lining, both Rangel and Hawkins agree that donations tend to spike the last two weeks before Christmas, although Hawkins said having Thanksgiving land on Nov. 28 – the latest it can fall on the calendar – has not helped.
“People don’t think about this and we lost almost a week of ringing that way,” Hawkins said. “People don’t really think about giving until that Thanksgiving period is over.”
“Yes, people do tend to give the most to the campaign the last two weeks,” Rangel added. “We’re hoping for that, even though I don’t see reaching our goal.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
