Salvation Army campaign sees success in Marietta
Lt. Megan Moretz folds clothes in Marietta’s Salvation Army clothing closet Friday morning. (Photo by Michele Newbanks)
Longtime Salvation Army volunteer Dana Braun helps re-stock the organization’s clothing closet Friday morning. (Photo by Michele Newbanks)
Lt. Megan Moretz folds clothes in Marietta’s Salvation Army clothing closet Friday morning. (Photo by Michele Newbanks)
Longtime Salvation Army volunteer Dana Braun helps re-stock the organization’s clothing closet Friday morning. (Photo by Michele Newbanks)
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MARIETTA -- With the Salvation Army of Marietta surpassing its kettle goal of $66,109, those at the organization say they will be able to fund the social services which help others in need in 2020.
"We actually surpassed the goal and raised $70,531, which we thought was impossible," said Lt. Megan Moretz. "It was surpassed by $4,400."
She said people heard their pleas to donate as it was a shorter season, with Thanksgiving being later in November. Local businesses offered matching money to encourage people to donate.
"We saw record days that weekend, so just in terms of donations at the kettles and checks being given by community members, the numbers were just incredible," she added.
Lt. Elisha Moretz said in previous years when the goal wasn't met, they had to look at budget cuts to everything but outside services, such as utility assistance or the food pantry.
"We didn't have to make cuts to services outside, we had to cut things like maintenance around the building," he said.
He explained the kettle goal number was derived by looking at last fiscal year's budget to see what grants and mail-in donations they received and could expect this year.
"What we need minus the grants and what we think we'll get through mail-in donations is what the kettle goal is," Elisha said.
Megan said with surpassing this year's goal, they won't have to cut any necessary social services to serve all those who are in need.
She explained more than $27,000 will go toward utility assistance, thousands of dollars in food for their food pantry, as well as fund dozens of nights of emergency shelter through hotel vouchers.
Elisha said the Salvation Army helps pay delinquent electric bills through AEP, as well as delinquent water bills through the city.
"And it funds the operations of the clothing closet," Megan said. "People donated almost 10,000 items of clothing this year. We get a lot of donations this time of year."
Elisha said they will be able to offer the same level of service, while also getting to some of the maintenance issues around the building.
"And to keep up with rising expenses as far as our utilities go," he said. "And also possibly expand services."
He said a number of projects around the building have been deferred over the past few years.
"We're having trouble locking the front door and we need to replace the fire escape," he said. "There are always on-going costs associated with keeping our historic building here on Front Street. It's important to us to remain on Front Street for the people who can't drive."
Megan said there are also youth programs in the summer that are funded by the Salvation Army.
"We operate a vacation Bible school every summer and send local children to summer camp outside of Dayton for a week," she explained. "It gets them out of the city and it's a week of outdoor experiences they might not otherwise be able to afford."
Children from all across Ohio visit the Salvation Army's Camp Swonekey for a week.
"It was offered free of charge last summer," Megan added.
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.