Charity takes a hit from economic decline: Salvation Army calling for reinforcements

The Salvation Army on Monday put out a call for new donations to make up for a marked drop in its annual spring fundraising campaign, noting that receipts fell 30 per cent in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the North.

It attributed the decline to financial woes facing contributors due to the economic downturn.

Nationally, the Salvation Army reported that it has raised $2.47 million, considerably short of its $3-million goal for 2009.

"I want to recognize and thank donors who generously gave," Graham Moore, a spokesman for the charity in Canada, said in a news release. "We also want to renew our effort to meet the goal we have set, as the need will not go away.

"Unfortunately, this is a double-whammy for us as these declines are hitting just as demand for service is up during these challenging economic times," Moore added.

'It's just the reality of tough times' —Graham Moore, Salvation Army

The May fundraiser, known as the Red Shield campaign, generated the lowest donation totals since 2005, according to the organization.

It comes on the heels of a devastating year for gifts of securities. The Salvation Army reported that securities donations were down 83 per cent, or $5.8 million in 2008.

There were some divisions that did perform better in the 2009 Red Shield campaign including Manitoba, parts of Ontario and the Maritimes.

"It's not easy to run a major campaign in this environment," Moore said, "but this isn't devastating. It's just the reality of tough times."

Moore added that the charity has endured lean years in the past.

The agency reported that it provides social service programs to more than 1.5 million Canadians in 400 communities every year.