The Salvation Army's Christmas kettle campaign fell short this year.
This year $78,000 was raised over the Christmas season throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, $6,000 less than the 2023 total which was $84,000.
And much lower than the $97,000 raised in 2022 and the $138,000 raised during the 2021 Christmas season.
Amelia Norrie with the Ridge Meadows Ministries speculated that many members of the community were experiencing financial struggles with the costs of basic needs this holiday season, as one of the reasons why donations were so low this year.
They were also seeing a decline in cash donations.
"While we do have tap machines at every kettle where we saw an increase on this year, it wasn’t quite enough to offset the decline in cash donations," she said.
Money from the Christmas kettle campaign go towards the local Salvation Army's community services programs, in addition to their food security programs.
In addition to an emergency shelter and transitional housing, the charitable organization has a back-to-school program, school lunch program, they offer community meals, emergency food hampers, a baby and toddler supply program, and a summer camp for youth in need.
Norrie is anticipating that the need for services at the Salvation Army is going to increase this year – a trend, she said that started in the summer of 2024.
"With partner programs in the community making difficult decisions to end services, this will only increase the demand for those of us who are continuing to operate," explained Norrie.
The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries will also have a new executive director starting in the community on Monday, Jan. 20.
Major David MacPherson was at the helm since the summer of 2022 and was recently promoted to social mission regional director with the provincial division.
More information is expected be released by the organization later this week.
