Charities Suffering this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for charitable donations. But the Salvation Army and area churches say it’s been the slowest season in more than a decade. Shiloh Baptist Pastor D.K. Ferguson says, “We’ve seen some downturn in the gifts that are being given, and those who are giving.”

Major Butch Mallard of the Salvation Army says, “Our monetary donations are down, and I think that has to do with the economy, but we have more people coming to us for assistance.” The struggling economy means more people have fallen on hard times, forcing them to pinch pennies.

“Persons needing help, persons who would not have normally called the church or even come to church have come to our church seeking assistance in some form or fashion,” says Pastor Ferguson.

The Salvation Army held a canned food drive. While Shiloh Baptist Church began collecting perishables for one local family to enjoy Christmas dinner. So far, donations are slim. “People are out of work, have lost their jobs, and some people are just on hard times, and now it’s people coming to us who have never come to us for help before,” says Mallard.

But for members of the Shiloh Baptist Church, hard times mean an opportunity to come together. Congregation member Wanda Johnson says, “We find people coming together, because we have to realize, this is the reason for the season.” Tough economy or not, the best gifts in life, are free.