The Salvation Army's Red Kettles in the Alle-Kiski Valley did not overflow with contributions this Christmas season.
But they yielded enough to allow chapter commanders to feel better than they did a month ago about meeting the Valley's needs in the year ahead.
Overall contributions in the Valley were up by nearly $43,000 over 2009, according to a report released Tuesday by the Salvation Army.
"I think we all feel blessed given the state of the economy and that people are struggling," said Ginny Knor, the spokeswoman for the Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division. "Even the people who are employed have had to cut back."
Salvation Army Red Kettles account for roughly 10 percent to 20 percent of each local Worship and Service Center's budget, according to Knor. In smaller communities with fewer resources, they play an even larger role. Salvation Army fundraising, including the Red Kettle Campaign, and delivery of service are segmented according to ZIP code. That's because Salvation Army facilities are independent of one another.
Money raised within a neighborhood remains there to support families specifically in that area. Social support services are provided according to the resident's home address, minimizing duplication of service and stretching the donor dollar further, according to Salvation Army officials.
In 17 of its 39 Worship and Service Centers, Red Kettle Campaign dollars are behind 2009 figures. Deficits range from a high of more than $21,000 in Pittsburgh's West Side to a low of $87 in Punxsutawney.
Two of the five chapters in the Alle-Kiski Valley did not meet their goals.
The Kiski Valley chapter fell about $3,800 short of its $30,000 goal, and the Kittanning chapter was about $1,200 short of its $25,000 goal.
Despite the shortfall, Capt. David Rhodes, Kittanning's commander, said he was pleased.
"We raised our goal this year because we knew there was going to be an increase in people coming for help," Rhodes said. "We raised it from $20,000 to 25,000, and we took in $23,800.
"We're a little bit short, but we also did $3,000 more than last year, so we are not complaining."
Rhodes said even before Christmas, 30 percent of the chapter's food distributions were going to people coming to the Salvation Army for the first time. Requests for help overall were up by about 25 percent, he said.
Capt. Elvie Carter is in charge of the New Kensington and Kiski Valley chapters. While the Kiski Valley chapter fell short of its goal, the New Kensington chapter exceeded its $60,000 goal by about $1,000.
"It was still a good season," Carter said. "People are very, very supportive, and we are still very thankful."
As for the Kiski Valley shortfall, he said, "Our plan right now is to find a way through our Red Shield campaign to make that up." That fundraising starts in the spring.
"There are people who are aware of the good work that the Salvation Army does throughout the year and are appreciative of that good work, and we are hopeful that they will make up the difference," he said.
"If we are unsuccessful, we will come back to the table and review everything and see if there are any services we might have to modify," Carter said.
He acknowledges that would prove to be difficult.
"We really can't afford to cut back," Carter said. "The people can't afford it."
The Allegheny Valley chapter's Red Kettle collections exceeded the chapter's goal by a hefty $25,000.
"Our goal was $125,000 but my goal was $150,000," said Capt. Ricky Armor, the chapter's commander. "I don't know if I expected to get it, but I knew we would get our $125,000."
"I'm very driven," he said. "We're receiving more clients than ever before, and that's why we went to the extreme. There's a lot of people going on unemployment, there's a lot more people out of work right now. We saw the need, and it's a growing need."
"We're putting some of this money aside for people who can't pay their rent," Armor said. He said others can't pay their utility bills.
Another chapter that zoomed past its goal was the Butler chapter, which raised nearly $17,800 more than its target — and $19,000 more than its 2009 collection. Chapter Commander Henry Thibault could not be reached for comment.
Additional Information:Branching out
Salvation Army spokeswoman Ginny Knor said that while the Red Kettle Campaign, with its kettles and bell-ringers stationed in communities, remains the foundation of the Christmas fund drive, other components are producing contributions.
The sale of key tags at Wendy's restaurants, which provide the donor with free junior frosty desserts for a year, raised $62,000. That was split with the American Red Cross, Knor said.
Then there is the Internet.
'When we started tracking Internet giving in 2004, it was a little over $17,000,' Knor said, 'and this year, it's $126,000-plus.'
Knor said the average online gift is higher. People donated as much as $2,500 on line.
Donations made via texting also are growing. Knor said those figures aren't yet available.
