D.C.-Area Donations to Salvation Army Drop 60 Percent

Donations to the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign in the Washington area dropped by nearly 60 percent this year, WTOP reported.

Ken Forsythe, a spokesman for the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command, said bell ringers took in $270,000 this season, compared to $667,000 last year. That's about a 60 percent drop.

A new policy at Giant Food stores that limited the amount of time bell ringers could be stationed outside may have been a factor in the decline.

Giant Food spokesman James Miller said the grocery chain made a decision this year to open the door to more nonprofits. He said Giant hopes to meet with the Salvation Army's local arm to discuss plans for next year.

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command came up about $408,000 short of its $1.6 million goal.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us