File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

SALVATION ARMY

Salvation Army provides 400 presents and 300 hampers through Christmas donations

Dec 30, 2022 | 3:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — This year the Salvation Army in Kamloops set its Christmas fundraising campaign goal at $450,000, but just days before Christmas they were still nearly $170,000 short of their goal.

The fundraising efforts by the salvation army include their kettle campaign as well as donations from community groups, businesses and individuals.

Salvation Army captain Cory Fifield did note that the final days before Christmas usually provide a big boost to their fundraising efforts and this year was no exception. In the final two days of the kettle campaign, more than $20,000 was raised.

“At this point we have counted our final tally for our kettle portion, which our goal was $240,000, we came in just under that at $236,000. That was a really good thing for our fundraising this year. Unfortunately, the other half of our program fundraising wise, our goal was $210,000. that portion we are at about $115,000-$120,000, so we are probably about $90,000 short in that area,” said Fifield.

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Donations are accepted year round by the salvation army but the bulk of their fundraising happens during the Christmas period.

Despite the challenges faced this year, the salvation army has still been able to help more than 300 families through their food hamper program and donated 400 toys to kids in the community.

“With every challenge there is an opportunity and one of the things that came out of this year was new partnerships. We were able to have two match days that we didn’t have before with Big Steel Box and Scotia Bank. Those were great things to form, hopefully we will be able to do them again in the future,” said Fifield. “Of course we have partners that continue to support us like Kamloops Honda, who stepped up with 100 food hampers. We rely on those things and every year we are thinking about how we can continue to grow our footprint and what we do and the people that we work with. Despite the challenge from the fundraising perspective, we are still looking forward to another year.”