Salvation Army sees 60 percent drop in Red Kettle giving
Friday - 12/31/2010, 1:53pm ET
WASHINGTON - Did a decision to try to help many charities end up hurting one?
The Salvation Army of the National Capital Area was given less time to station bell ringers in front of Giant Food stores this year, and Salvation Army National Capital Area Command spokesman Ken Forsythe says bell ringers collecting donations for the Red Kettle Campaign raised $270,000 this year compared to $667,000 last year.
The dramatic decrease represents a 59.5 percent drop.
"It certainly is not out of the question that there is a program that we might have to look at cutting back or eliminating," Forsythe says.
Giant Food spokesman James Miller says the grocery chain made a decision this year to open the door to more nonprofits.
Instead of having the Salvation Army out in front of stores throughout the season, the chain invited other charities as well, and Miller says the stores only allow one group to solicit at any given time.
Forsythe says the Salvation Army is grateful to all the stores that allow them to station bell ringers in front of their businesses -- Giant, Safeway, Wal-Mart and JC Penney. Miller says Giant hopes to meet with the Salvation Army's local arm to discuss plans for next year.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command came up about $408,000 short of its $1.6 million goal. Forsythe says donors can still get a tax deduction for 2010 if they give by midnight tonight.
To donate, click here.
WTOP is a sponsor of the Salvation Army 2010 Red Kettle Campaign.
Follow Kate on Twitter.
(Copyright 2010 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
