YORKTON – The Salvation army has raised $60,000 of their $125,000 Kettle Drive goal.
"We've never raised that much before, so we're reaching for the roof," said Roy Bladen, Ministry Leader, in an interview with Yorkton This Week.
"Today (Dec.19) we've actually turned in $60,000 and we have this week to go, so we're just kind of praying that we're going to make at least $100,000," added Bladen.
"We've given out 263 hampers and an awful lot of toys," said Bladen, noting the number equates to more than 1000 people being helped for the holidays.
"We're very thankful for the folks of Yorkton and what they do for us in these very difficult times – we do with what we can and I'm sure the lord will bless us," said Bladen.
Bladen said that businesses who have donated in the past haven't this year, likely due to their own struggles.
"I'm sure the businesses are struggling trying to sell this year, so therefore they're not able to give us any financial help," said Bladen, adding, "we have probably about 30 different businesses out in Yorkton who would give us a donation every Christmas and this year so far we've had three."
"I know they're struggling – but we'd like to wish everybody a very merry and blessed Christmas and a happy new year and we thank them so much for what they do."
For information and to donate, visit https://donate.salvationarmy.ca/, or contact the Yorkton Salvation Army at 306-782-2867.
In November, the University of Saskatchewan released the results of a poll that found food bank use in the Prairies is the highest in the country.
“CHASR’s Taking the Pulse of Canada survey had 1,001 respondents across Canada who were contacted via landlines and cellphones. Nearly 78 per cent of respondents said they had used coupons or bought food items on sale, 58.6 per cent said they had decreased household food waste, and 54.5 per cent said they had planned meals to ensure they had enough money and food. As well, 30.7 per cent said they had eaten less healthy food because it’s cheaper,” read a media release from the University of Saskatchewan.
