Salvation Army 'desperately' needs volunteers with donations down 20 per cent

Photo: Contributed

The Salvation Army Kamloops is “in desperate need” of volunteers to collect donations outside two city liquor stores.

Salvation Army Capt. Cory Fifield, who runs the Kamloops branch, said his agency has so far been unable to recruit volunteers to ring bells outside BC Liquor Stores on Columbia Street and Tranquille Road.

After initially telling Sally Ann to stay away this year, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch reversed course on Monday and said donations could be collected outside its stores.

“Unfortunately, as of today, we have not been able to recruit enough volunteers to get these locations fully staffed,” Fifield said in an email to Castanet Kamloops.

“Over the coming week, we have less than half of the schedule filled and over the remainder of our campaign, which runs until Dec. 24, we have only a third of the schedule filled.”

Fifield said local donations are down approximately 20 per cent so far this year. Volunteers have so far collected about $91,000, which is $20,000 less than what had been collected by this time last year.

Anyone looking to volunteer is asked to call Dale at 250-819-0843, or visit the Salvation Army Kamloops website.

The Salvation Army runs 11 donation locations throughout the city, including the two liquor stores. Donations are also accepted online, by mail or in person at 344 Poplar St.