PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Inflation has many non-profit organizations in the region concerned that holiday donations will be much lower this year, and that may directly impact those who are in even greater need.
The Salvation Army, which held its National Commanders Challenge on Friday, is among organizations where donations are down and demand is high.
The national challenge was designed to provide a match for every penny raised Friday, with a goal of raising $1.5 million — an effort to help mitigate the lack of donations this holiday season.
The Red Kettle fundraiser for the Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Division is behind by 33% from this time in 2021.
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"We're finding that individuals are having a harder time being able to participate in this fundraising opportunity, and everybody — when they go to the grocery store — they are facing rising prices,” said Major Tawny Cowen-Zanders with the Greater Philadelphia Salvation Army.
“When they have less in their pockets to give, it's certainly impacting us.”
She said that as donation levels are dropping, requests for services are 40% higher.
"Those who have the ability to give, have a little less of an ability to give; those who are in need, are more in need,” Cowen-Zanders said.
“They are individuals who have been living on the edge. They were already recovering from their experience from the pandemic whether, they were laid off or [working] less hours, so they were just keeping it together. Then as the prices increased, their need has increased."
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Cowen-Zanders said toy donations are also down.
She says all monetary donations can be made in person or online, and no amount is too small.
"When you start combining your change, and my change, and her change and his change,” Cowen-Zanders said, “what happens is a whole lot of change comes out of that kettle and a whole lot of change happens in our community.”
In 2021, the Salvation Army served over 833,000 meals and provided emergency shelter to nearly 115,000 people in the region.