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Salvation Army asks for help as donations drop 16%

HARTFORD — It’s the time of year for giving, but the Salvation Army is feeling the burn. According to the Salvation Army, its Red Kettle Campaign in...

HARTFORD -- It's the time of year for giving, but the Salvation Army is feeling the burn.

According to the Salvation Army, its Red Kettle Campaign in Connecticut and Rhode Island was hammered by a snow storm that fell on the Saturday before Christmas, which is typically one of the biggest donation days of the year.

The goal for the Salvation Army of Southern New England is $2 million, but with just three days until Christmas Eve, organization said it had raised just $1,086,012. Donations are particularly low in Greater Hartford, New Britain, Norwich, Torrington, Ansonia, Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk.

Overall, donations are down 16 percent compared to the same time in 2015.

Another bit hit that the organization is taking is the shift towards online shopping. That means less foot traffic in typically high-density shopping areas, meaning less people see the donation buckets and think to give.

The money raised through the Red Kettle Campaign supports several programs year round, including food pantries, shelters, emergency assistance, summer programs, school programs and holiday assistance. The program has been going on since 1891.

If you can't make it out to a red kettle, you can donate by texting "Give CT" to the number "71777."

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