The Twin Cities Salvation Army is announcing a $1 Million community challenge match amid lagging donations from past year's holiday campaigns.
The goal is to raise as much money as possible by December 31 as Christmas campaign donations are currently behind last year’s by $700,000.
Communications Director Dan Furry says both recipients and donors are feeling the pinch of the current economy.
"When there are challenges, like high prices and slowly increasing unemployment rate, then donors have to make those tough choices as well," says Furry.
Furry says any funds coming in will make an impact for those in need in the Twin Cities.
"We provide food, we provide shelter, we provide financial assistance so people can stay in their homes," Furry explains. "So the people that are really struggling here in the Twins Cities are what those donations go to."
The demand for Salvation Army services in the state has remained high due to the impact of the pandemic on communities. Visits to food shelves have even set a new record as 5.5 million Minnesotans visited a food shelf in 2023.