Salvation Army funds dwindle

Group faces high demand in some cities
Matt Reed ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, March 20, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio Often the last resort for those in need, the Salvation Army in some cities is experiencing a budget crunch despite a sharp increase in donations.

The Salvation Army's annual holiday Red Kettle campaign brought in a record $130 million in donations last year, up 10 percent from 2007 and the biggest one-year jump since 1997.

But the money will be spent on programs in the communities where it was collected, and many cities with the most need for Salvation Army assistance, such as Detroit and Las Vegas, are having trouble raising funds, national spokeswoman Melissa Temme said. the rest