Requests for aid up for Salvation Army, other organizations

Salvation Army Maj. Tom Duperree is seen with some of the kettles that will be pressed into service on Friday, Nov. 20, when the organization's red kettle fund-raising campaign begins. Staff photo by Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart/Dayton Daily News Staff Photogra Salvation Army Maj. Tom Duperree is seen with some of the kettles that will be pressed into service on Friday, Nov. 20, when the organization's red kettle fund-raising campaign begins. Staff photo by Chris Stewart

ENLARGE PHOTO

Bullying law brings rule changes
7:42 a.m.
Victoria Theatre announces 2012-13 lineup
7:22 a.m.
Court rules Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival violated religious free speech
2/13/12
Overnight snow may cause slippery morning commute
2/13/12
Housing, credit crisis hurt home remodeling
2/13/12
> More headlines

By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer 7:59 PM Thursday, November 19, 2009

Salvation Army officials say 5,576 families have requested Christmas food assistance, 845 more families than last year.

As it gears up to kick off its red kettle campaign today, Nov. 20, the charity and others in the area are bracing for what could be a tough season for year-end giving because of the feeble economy.

The Salvation Army has to raise about $800,000 by the end of December primarily through the kettles and mail appeals to provide help at Christmas and deliver other services offering help to the needy throughout the year.

“Giving is really just flat,” Major Tom Duperree said. “We’re maintaining but we haven’t seen that increase because it’s hard on everybody.”

Bell ringers will be at more area store locations this year because some major corporations — including Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Big Lots and Discount Drug Mart — have opened their doors.

Local fund-raising challenges mirror a national trend. The nation’s 400 biggest charities expect giving to drop by a median of 9 percent this year, according to a survey by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

At the Foodbank, which provides food to 104 pantries, shelters, community kitchens and Kids Cafe programs locally, donations from canned food drives dropped from 28,000 pounds in October 2008 to just 8,000 last month.

The decrease comes as requests for food have increased dramatically. The agency distributed 3.8 million pounds of food during the fiscal year ending June 30 — about 700,000 pounds more than the previous fiscal year.

Officials there are counting on the Valley Food Relief campaign, which brought in a record $389,763.81 last year.

“We are holding our breath, hoping the campaign is anywhere near where it was last year,” said Linda Roepken, associate executive officer.

United Way of the Greater Dayton Area President Allen Elijah has attended about 75 campaign kickoffs at area businesses to promote the annual fund-raiser that supports 78 agencies.

Some campaigns are “trending down primarily because of staff reductions” while others are doing well, he said.

“We are too soon in the race to call how this thing is going to come out,” Elijah said.

Share this article