The pandemic has made life difficult for almost everyone, including the Salvation Army. According to Lt. Jessica Smith, since the pandemic started, the Salvation Army in Marion went from receiving 12 applications for financial assistance per week to 12 applications per day.
The increase in the number of people needing services made reaching their goal for their annual Red Kettle Campaign that much more important.
Smith said the Salvation Army raised $49,170 of its $50,000 goal, though a few kettles are still out in the community.
Though the pandemic has caused some troubles, Smith said the Salvation Army got closer to its goal in 2020 than in 2019. In 2019, the local organization raised a little more than $37,000 of its $51,000 goal.
Smith said everyone at the Salvation Army is very blessed and thankful for people giving their time and money, and she reminds the community that the organization’s need for donations doesn’t stop once the holidays are over.
