Skip to main contentWe all know what the the jingling noise outside the Freddies this time of year means.
But despite their holiday familiarity, donations to the Salvation Army's 150 Portland area bell ringers are down by 45 percent, the nonprofit says.
Just $286,195 has been donated so far, or 32 percent
of the total Kettle revenue needed for the entire season. With just 15 days left to go, the agency says its volunteer bellringers are behind the curve.
The kettles are a holiday fundraising tradition established by The Salvation Army, which provides wide-ranging social services to the hungry, disaster victims, the disabled, the elderly and homeless populations.
This fundraising season makes up for almost 40 percent of The Salvation Army Portland Metro area's budget for the year, Major Don Gilger, Portland Metro Coordinator for The Salvation Army Cascade Division, tells WW
"I don't want to have to turn anyone away, but that's what we'll have to do if kettle donations don't improve," Gilger says .
The Salvation Army hopes to serve 45,000 individuals in the Metro area this Christmas season.
"We have a lot of good shopping days left and we're confident that we can reach our goal," says Gilger, Portland Metro Coordinator for The Salvation Army Cascade Division. "The great thing about kettles is that everyone can participate."
WWeek 2015