The Shawano Salvation Army is in desperate need of funds to help area residents.
President Stacey Cicero said the charity usually runs out of money after about 11 months of the fiscal year, but this year it ran out in nine months.
“We’re out of money and it went really quick this year,” Cicero said.
The group’s fiscal year is from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, so the agency will be unable to help people for several more weeks.
The Salvation Army helps people in need with lodging, rent, utilities, household needs and health services. Without the help, many people face eviction and cannot pay bills because they haven’t been able to find work.
So far this year, The Salvation Army has assisted 524 area adults and children, compared to 516 last year, and has written 222 vouchers, compared to 196 last year.
Qualified recipients get vouchers for $150. They can come back two more times, but each time the amount is reduced.
In her job as executive director of Safe Haven, a domestic abuse shelter, Cicero sees the impact of the lack of funds, because so many people at the shelter are in need of those services.
“The economy has not turned around yet,” Cicero said. “People are still dealing with the ramifications of it. People from Safe Haven are affected and we can’t help them. It’s frustrating.”
Cicero said recruiting additional help for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign could help avoid similar funding shortages in future years.
The campaign, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, is the charity’s major fundraiser. With more help, the agency could raise more money, Cicero said.
“If we could do it more days, we could make more money,” she said. “The issue is getting people to ring the bells.”
Cicero said her children rang bells the last two years and they really enjoyed it.
“I believe it’s important to teach your children about giving back to the community and helping others, and I like to lead by example,” she said. “They completed the whole two-hour shift and actually brought in a lot of money.”
The Harley Owners Group from Doc’s Harley-Davidson rings the bells every year for a day and covers all the locations. Cicero is looking for organizations and churches that could assume similar responsibilities.
“We would spread things out in the county and cover places like Bonduel, Tigerton, Gresham and Wittenberg,” Cicero said. “What we really, truly need are some organizations, clubs, churches that would be willing to take a whole day and schedule ringers.”
Area residents also can help by volunteering for the board or specific projects. Anyone who donates to The Salvation Army should be sure to mark that it is for Shawano County, Cicero said.
To donate to The Salvation Army, contact Cicero at 715-526-3421.
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