HANCOCK — The Salvation Army’s 2017 Red Kettle Campaign fell short of its goal by 19.6 percent, said Capt. Leonita Schweigert. Final totals showed that $52,254.79 was raised, while the goal was $65,000.

“All of the credit goes to the community who drop in change, dollars, and checks every time they pass the Red Kettle,” Schweigert said. “The entire community really stepped [up] and stood alongside the Salvation Army this year to almost reach this goal. The people understand this need is real.”

Schweigert said 100 percent of all donations stay in this community. Service programs, based in Hancock, focus on serving at-risk community members, some who are homeless or who are facing potential homelessness are also served. Major services include food pantries, case management, youth programs, camps, men’s and women’s ministries, financial utility assistance using federal and state funds, GEDs, the Christmas Toy Shop, and Christmas food baskets.

“Many programs will suffer due to the shortage in funds,” Schweigert said. “For example, we will have to reduce the amount of scholarships for the children to attend camps and programs that require a fee for equipment or travel.” In Sept. 2017, the amount of food in each pantry bag was increased by 30 percent, she said.

“However, due to the decrease in funds,” she added, “we may have to reduce the food back to the original amount or even less per month.”

Schweigert said over 516 food pantry bags and 155 Christmas food baskets were distributed in the past years, with 479 children receiving Christmas gifts.

Schweigert said the Salvation Army is still accepting donations to the Red Kettle campaign until Jan. 31, and any and all donations are deeply appreciated.

Anyone wanting to donate through the end of the month online at www.salvationarmywe.org?wum/hancock, or they can call the Salvation Army at (906) 482-3420.