The Salvation Army is turning more to virtual options to make up for a drop in donations this year. Salvation Army of North Texas had reduced its goal for the Red Kettle campaign this year but has still fallen short.
Through Thursday, the Red Kettle campaign had raised $1.17 million of its $1.895 million goal.
"It is stretch time," says Maj. Todd Hawks, the area commander for the Salvation Army of North Texas. "We are distributing Christmas gifts across the command, but there's still time to help."
Donations can be made online HERE. People can also sign up to host their own virtual Red Kettle.
Hawks says the Salvation Army has also had fewer locations and fewer volunteers than normal.
"All of that has certainly impacted our ability to raise that much-needed $1.8 million," he says.
Information about how to become a volunteer is available HERE . Volunteers are also needed for other events, search HERE.
Some stores are offering the ability to round-up to the nearest dollar, with the change going to the Salvation Army. Wal-Mart will offer the option to people who make purchases online.
Wal-Mart, Tom Thumb and Whataburger are also offering the option to round-up to the nearest dollar when buying in-person.
"We want to make sure our neighbors don't have to make tough decisions as to whether to put food on their table, pay their rent or put gifts under the Christmas tree," Hawks says.
Hawks says the Angel Tree program has also struggled to meet demand. He says many companies will host their own Angel Tree to provide gifts for children, but fewer people have been spending time at their offices.
"That's been the traditional corporate relationship with the Angel Tree program, and that has been challenged this year because you have less people working in the corporate environment, more people working from home," he says. "You've also had less people working."
Information about the Angel Tree program is available HERE.