Army short of goal

Despite a successful kettle campaign and a year-end influx of food from A-1 Movers, the Salvation Army in Superior is struggling to make ends meet.

“We didn’t make our overall goal,” said Maj. Rosemary Matson. Where last year the organization had $178,000 in hand, this December they only have $136,000. A few last-minute gifts have been trickling in.

“We’re hoping to be up to at least $150,000 by today,” Matson said Monday. But that still leaves the Salvation Army about $30,000 short of its goal. Holiday giving is the main source of the organization’s funding. To make their budget this fiscal year, which spans runs from October 2012 to October 2013, they need help.

“We just hope people will remember the Salvation Army,” Matson said.

A-1 Movers dropped off hundreds of pounds of food last week for the organization’s food shelf. Response to the Superior business’ holiday food drive was impressive, said A-1 Movers owner John Nye.

“People in the northland can be proud of themselves,” he said. “In a time of need everyone stepped up.” He said the business collected about 19,000 pounds of food, which was split among the Duluth and Superior Salvation Army sites and Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. Nye said he also collected about $2,500 in donations to help provide food for those in need. The boost was appreciated.

“I’m talking a whole lot of food,” Matson said. But it will only last so long.

The Salvation Army feeds nearly 1,000 people a month through its food pantry, according to Matson, and provides both personal hygiene and pet products to those in need.

This holiday season, the organization handed out about 700 food baskets to those in need and provided $3,000 in teen gift cards.

The Salvation Army runs a summer day camp and hosts a rookie basketball league from October through March. And when a need pops up that can’t be filled by another agency — heating assistance, a helping hand with rent or travel to get to a loved one’s funeral — the organization covers it if possible.

To meet those needs, Matson said, the Salvation Army in Superior must first meet its goal.

“It’s a matter of prayer,” she said.

Donations can be brought to the Salvation Army at 916 Hughitt Ave. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily or mailed to the Salvation Army, PO BOX 485, Superior, WI 54880.

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