The annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign saw a huge increase in donations in the Kenai/Soldotna area this year, totaling over $55,000.
Craig Fanning with Kenai’s Salvation Army…
Fanning: “Last year we did $48,000, I was hoping to do [$50,000]. A $2,000-3,000 increase a year increase is really a lot, we don’t normally get that kind of increase. The community really did a good job, stepped up for us and helped us meet that demand this year.”
Fanning says it’s a common trend that when the economy is down, donations go up.
The Kenai Peninsula’s Salvation Army locations are seeing more residents recently who have been impacted by local layoffs from oil companies.
Fanning: “We are seeing new folks but not new to the peninsula, they’re just first time having to ask for help but they are residents here and for years have had good jobs. Right now [they] are just without any prospect for when they can go back to work or if they can go back to work.”
Fanning says he thanks the members of communities for their donations that will help their neighbors in these hard economic times.