Donations down for Salvation Army of Vancouver

Donations through the Salvation Army of Vancouver’s red kettles are down 8 percent, or $19,300, from last year as of Wednesday. The nonprofit is entering its final week of bell-ringing for donations.

All Salvation Army posts in the Portland metro area, except for Vancouver, are on track to meet this year’s fundraising goals, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

Major Michael Nute, director of the local Salvation Army, asked people to help close the gap now through Christmas Eve.

“Every dollar raised by the Salvation Army stays in the local community,” he said in the news release. “So, we’re asking Vancouver to make donations and help us continue to help others in Clark County.”

More than 35,900 people used the Salvation Army’s local services and programs last year, including 29,000 people who received food assistance, the news release said.

It’s a 100-year-old tradition to raise funds for the Salvation Army using bell ringers stationed at red kettles. There are 52 kettles located at area businesses such as Albertsons, Fred Meyer, J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Wal-Mart.

“I have faith that our community will rally to help us meet our goal,” Nute said in the news release.

Otherwise, donations may be made online at saredkettle.org.