Relief agency faces burden

North country Salvation Army officials agree that 2008 was a tough year — and 2009 isn't looking much brighter.

The number of needy families seeking Salvation Army programs and services skyrocketed last year, and agency officials are bracing themselves for what's to come this year.

DIDN'T MEET GOAL

Ogdensburg Salvation Army Capt. Shane M. Budd said he'd guess that the 401 Franklin St. agency saw double the number of families needing assistance in 2008, with mostly fresh faces.

Capt. Budd said the poor economy is to blame.

"Help is needed across the board," he said.

To make matters worse, the Ogdensburg Salvation Army didn't reach its $45,000 goal for the Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army's largest fundraiser.

In fact, the agency's 2008 campaign brought in $6,700 less than the one in 2007. The total amount raised for 2008 is $31,200, while 2007's figure was $37,900.

"I hate to beat the dead horse, but the economy and people just didn't have the resources to give as much as they did last year," Capt. Budd said. "We stood as many days as we could, and had as many workers out as possible."

Ogdensburg's campaign started Nov. 14 and ended Dec. 24.

Money raised from the Red Kettle Campaign will go toward paying off Christmas baskets distributed to needy families. The funds also will be spent on the Ogdensburg Salvation Army's programs throughout the year.

Capt. Budd said no matter what the outcome of the Red Kettle Campaign was, he knew the Salvation Army would continue to serve the community.

BARELY MADE IT

Roughly 37 miles away from Ogdensburg, Massena Salvation Army Maj. Cecelia M. Lynch had better news to report: the Massena agency, at 20 Russell Road, exceeded last year's amount by $65.11.

The agency's Red Kettle Campaign, which ran from Nov. 11 to Dec. 24, raised $51,650, compared with $51,584.89 in 2007.

Maj. Lynch said she is pleased with the effort because volunteer bell-ringers were at various businesses with the Red Kettles seeking donations for six fewer days than normal.

She estimated that approximately $20,000 will be used toward paying off Thanksgiving and Christmas bills from families who needed food and gift assistance around the holidays.

The rest, Maj. Lynch said, will be spent on the agency's food pantry, rent and utility assistance, and youth programs.

"I think we are going to have a greater need in our food pantry and basic living essentials," she said. "It's going to be difficult. It'd be an answered prayer to see our numbers go down, but I don't see the future now making that need go away."

Staff members at the Massena Salvation Army are doing all they can to help those in need, Maj. Lynch said.

From 11 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the agency's Food Programs office, 178 Victory St., people can get extra food from its Daily Bread program. The program is free, and individuals or families can choose from baked goods, vegetables, dairy products and other grocery items from local stores that are close to the expiration date, but still good enough to consume.

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

One north country Salvation Army is giving thanks to its surrounding community for donating to the Red Kettle Campaign more than it has in the past few years.

The Watertown Salvation Army exceeded its $86,001 goal by $14,379. The 723 State St. agency brought in $100,380 from the 2008 campaign, which ran Nov. 10 to Dec. 24.

Watertown Salvation Army Capt. Evelyn M. Hopping said the money will go a long way this year.

Besides using a portion of the funds to pay off Christmas food and gifts the agency purchased last month, the money will be used in each of the Watertown Salvation Army's programs, such as the soup kitchen and clothing and furniture assistance.

"It's a major part of our budget each year," Capt. Hopping said. "We also really are expecting we'll see a major increase of people."