The executive director of YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Salvation Army (SA) is confident they can still provide their usual Christmas services despite a lack of volunteers and donations.

SA国际影视传媒淚t has definitely been more of a concern this year than other years,SA国际影视传媒� says Jason Brinson.

The SASA国际影视传媒檚 annual holiday kettle drive started Nov. 12 to raise funds for food and toy hampers. Heading into the fourth week of an eight-week campaign, Brinson says the organization has achieved 36 per cent of its $45,00o donation goalSA国际影视传媒�$4,300 behind where it was at the same time last year. As of Friday morning, the SA had only four volunteers out of a necessary ten for that day, with a similar lack of sign-ups for Saturday.

Brinson isnSA国际影视传媒檛 sure whatSA国际影视传媒檚 behind the lack of volunteers and donations. The Covid-19 pandemic could be a factor, although he says several long-time volunteers have also recently moved away.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think our six-to-eight [shifts] on Saturday have been covered yet this year,SA国际影视传媒� says Brinson.

Even without volunteers at the kettle, passers-by can now make a donation by card just by tapping a machine. However, Brinson says they are able to attract substantially more donations when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a volunteer at the kettle.

In previous years, the SA has been able to exceed its goal for donations. These extra funds then go to other services throughout the year, such as sock drives or food vouchers for the co-op.

SA国际影视传媒淎ssistance to the community doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 stop for us after Christmas,SA国际影视传媒� says Brinson.

Despite this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 challenges, Brinson is confident the SA will still be able to provide its usual services, although they may have to depend on the generosity of the City of Yellowknife. Even so, SA国际影视传媒渋tSA国际影视传媒檒l make our ability to assist to the volume that we think is needed much more difficult,SA国际影视传媒� Brinson says.

SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 want people to have to worry about their Christmas meal and toys,SA国际影视传媒� says Brinson. SA国际影视传媒淲e want to make sure every child has a toy under the tree.SA国际影视传媒�

Prospective volunteers can sign up by emailing Brinson at Jason.Brinson@salvationarmy.ca. Yellowknifers who want to donate can find kettles at Canadian Tire, Walmart, the Yellowknife Co-op, and both Liquor Stores, plus a tap-only location at the SA thrift store.