Kroc Center Red Kettle donations down

COEUR d’ALENE — The Salvation Army Kroc Center is urgently seeking donations for its annual Red Kettle Campaign this holiday season, a press release said Tuesday.

The Kroc Center has reported a slow start to Kettle donations compared to previous years, compounded by a shorter Kettle season due to the late Thanksgiving. The Kroc is at $25,000 when it was double that at this time last year. The season goal for 2024 is $220,000.

“Our focus is on addressing unmet needs in the community,” said Major Don Gilger, executive director of The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “There is a significant shortage of mental health services for youth in our community, and we are working hard to help meet that need by providing mental health services to youth and families who might not otherwise have access to these critical resources.”

Discounted mental health services for youth and families are just one of many Community Outreach programs offered by The Kroc Center. Other services include providing warm clothing to youth for the winter, delivering food to local food banks, offering holistic wellness support and granting free access to the center.

The Kroc Center also provides adult role models at elementary schools during high-disciplinary days and delivers water safety and basic swim lessons to youth. All Community Outreach programs are funded by donations.

“We simply cannot meet the ongoing needs throughout the year without financial support from the community,” Gilger said.

There are red kettles located outside local stores through Dec. 24 and donations can also be made to the Kroc Center’s virtual red kettle online at www.kroccda.org/kettles.