Salmon Arm's Salvation Army trooped well past its $200,000 goal in the 2024 Ringing in Hope Campaign.
In a media release, the Salvation Army announced the overwhelming success of its campaign that raised a total of $235,000, "well beyond" the original target, crediting the community with getting it there.
"This achievement is a testament to the generosity and heart of our community," said Kelly Kedrosky with community and volunteer engagement. "Every donation – whether through Christmas Kettles, online gifts, in-person contributions, the Turkey Drive with Bounce Radio, or mail-in support – has made a meaningful impact."
The Kettle Drive itself was no drop in the bucket, contributing $98,975, marking a 58 per cent increase from 2023.
All funds raised will support the Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope program and Food Market that provides families and individuals with access to healthy food, supportive resources and personalized assistance in overcoming barriers to achieving long-term stability.
The need for food assistance, in particular, has increased significantly. The Salvation Army's grocery-support market has seen a 30 per cent increase in usage over the last year, distributing over 104,000 pounds of food, a dramatic jump from the 77,000 lbs. in 2023. Visits to the drop-in café have also risen with people accessing not only food, but also services such as free showers, coffee, meals and clothing.
Additionally, 302 children were registered through the Toy Shop, and 571 households through the Christmas Gift Card Program which provided financial relief during a challenging time.
With food prices expected to increase three to five per cent this year, the Salvation Army is anticipating an even greater demand. To address both immediate needs and long-term solutions, the Pathway of Hope, which relaunched in October, has already enroled eight people on "a journey toward financial independence and stability."
"Our goal is not just to provide food but to empower individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty through sustainable support," Salvation Army Capt. Joel Torrens said in the release. "Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers and community partners we can continue offering both immediate relief and long-term transformations."
Additional information on the local Salvation Army can be found at tsasalmonarm.com.
