Donations to the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights campaign are down 12% compared to this time last year.
Madeline Madden, director of the campaign, it may be due to the shorter holiday season.
She says since Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close together, there is a shorter time period for giving.
Madden says the donations gathered through the Tree of Lights campaign are used to fund more than 22 local social service programs.
"Everything we do is necessary. Whether it’s the Winter Night Watch Program where we go out with the mobile unit, feeding people that really need a warm meal during the coldest time of the year or whether it’s heat aid or clothing or food assistance. There are so many people that come to the Salvation Army looking for that support and we want to be able to help them.”
The Salvation Army is currently at 54% of its goal. The Red Kettles will be up through December 24th.