Salvation Army falls well short of campaign goal

The local Salvation Army is hoping area residents step up with donations after its annual “Red Shield Appeal” last month raised only half of its $20,000 goal.
And the ministry says it needs to raise that other $10,000 in order to meet the needs of the community.
The Salvation Army currently is serving 620 families across Rainy River District, including 750 adults, 100 teenagers, and 350 children.
“If the whole population of Fort Frances donates the half-price of a cup of coffee [75 cents] to the food bank, we could reach our goal and easily continue serving the needy of our community,” it said in a press release.
The ministry also has had to contend with other challenges.
This year, for instance, an overwhelming amount of “junk” and “garbage” has been dropped off at the Salvation Army’s doorstep—making it harder for volunteers to sort through what is useable and what has to be taken to the dump.
Capt. Angel Sandoval is concerned with some of the items people are dropping off.
“It’s amazing how much garbage people are leaving to us, they’re just dumping it here,” he noted.
“You know, you won’t believe it . . . we have some things that are just garbage, okay? Just garbage,” Capt. Angel stressed.
The Thrift Store tries to raise money by selling used clothing and small articles.
But the challenges staff there have faced lately has been “immeasurable due to the leftover from garage sales that provide more work and expenses for the condition of this kind of donations,” the release stated.
Capt. Angel is asking that those who are donating to the Salvation Army look over their goods before handing them over.
He noted that if it is of no use to you, and you can’t see it being good for anyone else, it probably isn’t—and it would be better that the public dispose of those things on their own.
Capt. Angel also said bringing donations in on dry days is more advantageous because when donations are wet, storage is much more difficult.
The quality of the goods also can be diminished.
Still, Capt. Angel wanted to extend his thanks and praise to the community for what the Salvation Army has raised so far. He believes that together, the community will pull together for what he believes to be a very worthy cause.
The ministry currently provides such services as employment opportunities, recycling, family services, food bank, and accommodations.
“Poverty retains its stubborn hold,” Capt. Angel said. “The money we raise through our campaigns and ministries always helps to sustain our community outreach programs and help us to give hope to families in need.”
Call 274-3871 if you’d like to donate to the Salvation Army.