As the holiday season comes to an end, reports indicate that charitable giving is declining while the demand for social service programs is high. According to a Giving USA report, year-over-year giving has decreased by over 10% when adjusted for inflation. The Salvation Army, the largest non-governmental provider of social services in the country, heavily relies on end-of-year donations to provide essential services during the Christmas season and for the following year. Despite climbing above pre-pandemic levels, the national Red Kettle Campaign, a major holiday fundraising effort for the organization, is currently tracking nearly 12% behind the same time last year.
With the depletion of federal aid programs, the need to provide financial assistance to those struggling to make ends meet has become even greater. One in three Americans report being financially worse off now than a year earlier. Almost 92 million people have had difficulty paying for essential household expenses in the last week, and 44.2 million people in America are food insecure. Nonprofits are also facing increased operating costs, with some local Salvation Army corps experiencing increased costs ranging from 10% to 50%.
With nearly 7,000 locations across the U.S., The Salvation Army is in a unique position to meet the needs of local communities with tailored programs, as long as the necessary resources are available. In 2023, The Salvation Army assisted nearly 24 million people and served over 155 million meals. They also provided shelter or lodging assistance to safeguard 8 million people, and offered rent and utility assistance to over 3 million individuals and families to help them stay in their homes and keep the lights on.
“We are grateful for every generous dollar entrusted to us,” said Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army. “Without that support, The Salvation Army would not be able to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable people in nearly every ZIP code across the United States, today and next year.”
The Salvation Army is an organization that works to help people in need. If you want to help, you can visit their website, SalvationArmyUSA.org, to make a donation or learn about ways to support or volunteer with them throughout the year. Loving beyond the holidays is possible with the Salvation Army.
