News
When demand for a helping hand at the holidays rose, Nevada County residents rose to the challenge.
With one day to go on their annual kettle drive, the Nevada County Salvation Army Corps blew past last year's total collection of $55,000 and brought in $71,000 so far this year, an official reported this week.
“We're very grateful to the community,” said Don Sheppard, the local Salvation Army captain. “They've come through tremendously, and given what the other Salvation Armies have been going through with the economy, we've been a model community.”
Despite eclipsing last year's total, the bellringers still have work to do, Sheppard said. They'll be out at local grocery stores until 3 p.m. today.
He said demand for help was up this year due to the economy.
This year's kettle fundraising goal is $75,000 for the community assistance doled out by the Salvation Army throughout the year, Sheppard said. Of that 13 percent goes toward the agency's administrative costs, which includes employing the bellringers, Sheppard added. The Salvation Army financially assists county residents with rent, bills and food.
Families asking for meals from the Interfaith Food Ministries shot up over Thanksgiving as the food aid agency served about 750 families, up 100 from last year. President Sue Van Son said demand for Christmas meals was up slightly from last year but down from Thanksgiving with about 640 families requesting assistance.
“The community support was huge this year,” Van Son said.
The Grass Valley Ladies Relief Society, which collected and provided meals at last week's Donation Day parade also said more people were asking for assistance than did last year and said food donations were down slightly.
To contact Staff Writer Kyle Magin, e-mail kmagin@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4239.
With one day to go on their annual kettle drive, the Nevada County Salvation Army Corps blew past last year's total collection of $55,000 and brought in $71,000 so far this year, an official reported this week.
“We're very grateful to the community,” said Don Sheppard, the local Salvation Army captain. “They've come through tremendously, and given what the other Salvation Armies have been going through with the economy, we've been a model community.”
Despite eclipsing last year's total, the bellringers still have work to do, Sheppard said. They'll be out at local grocery stores until 3 p.m. today.
He said demand for help was up this year due to the economy.
This year's kettle fundraising goal is $75,000 for the community assistance doled out by the Salvation Army throughout the year, Sheppard said. Of that 13 percent goes toward the agency's administrative costs, which includes employing the bellringers, Sheppard added. The Salvation Army financially assists county residents with rent, bills and food.
Families asking for meals from the Interfaith Food Ministries shot up over Thanksgiving as the food aid agency served about 750 families, up 100 from last year. President Sue Van Son said demand for Christmas meals was up slightly from last year but down from Thanksgiving with about 640 families requesting assistance.
“The community support was huge this year,” Van Son said.
The Grass Valley Ladies Relief Society, which collected and provided meals at last week's Donation Day parade also said more people were asking for assistance than did last year and said food donations were down slightly.
To contact Staff Writer Kyle Magin, e-mail kmagin@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4239.
HOW TO HELP
Drop your donations in the nearest Salvation Army Red Kettle, or mail donations to: Nevada County Salvation Army Corps may be mailed to 10725 Alta St., Grass Valley, CA 95945
Donations to Interfaith Food Ministry may be sent to 551 Whiting St., Grass Valley, CA 95945; or by using PayPal at InterfaithFoodMinistry.org. Donations to the Grass Valley Ladies Relief Society may be sent to P.O. Box 1132, Cedar Ridge, CA 95824. |
