many.

The holiday season is a time for giving back.

However, some charities say they're seeing less donations this year, according to giving USA report charitable giving dropped more than 2% in 2023.

The local organizations are making efforts to reach donation goals just in time for the New Year.

Joining us on zoom is major Kendell Matthews, Associate Chicago area commander for the Salvation Army.

Thank you for joining us.

Now, I want to start off.

Tell us about the Salvation Army is facing this year with donations.

>> Well, challenge is right now that we're faced with is we're seeing that same amount of people who gave last year this year.

And so we're just seeing a slight decline in in financial donations.

And with our Colton without Tories.

but we still believe that there's still time available for people to people to support the work of Salvation Army because of our history and our heritage of serving people throughout this area.

>> Are you surprised with seen that decline?

>> you know, not necessarily because I think people today are, you know, they're keeping their coats longer.

They are, you know, items that they would normally donate.

They're holding on to islands just a little bit longer and And we see that they just just just not giving as they have before and it could be because the economics that could be it could be several factors generational.

Giving it could be several factors.

Why?

But we're not at such a decline at Def Con 3 because the community still supporting the work of the Salvation Army.

>> And that is we know the Survation Army in Elgin says they've seen a decrease in toy donations.

Are you seeing that same impact in other communities?

>> We are here in the Chicago Land area.

We've had to put all several pleas to the community about Tories and giving items so that children have gifts under the tree.

And so far moving forward.

We're seeing several of our sites throughout Chicago are seen a Hamas, increase, but we're meeting the needs and whether or not it's an increase or decrease long as they need is being met.

We feel like the work is being accomplished for the disenfranchised and for the people in our community.

So you're saying you're you're being hopeful.

>> And as we know around the holidays, a Salvation Army relies heavily on the red Kettle campaign to raise money needed throughout the year.

What's been the challenge is for the campaign this year.

>> challenge is for the campaign.

Pretty much has been getting getting people to give a little bit more.

reminding people that, you know, $0.83 out of every dollar goes for direct services.

>> I think the challenge is can have been met can be met as long as people know that percentage of which that they're getting $0.83 out of dollar.

You can't get too much banger blessing for your buck and people need to be aware of So we want people to know if they if they gave $20 last year get to $10 this year, $0.83 out of every dollar goes towards direct services.

>> And that is wheels.

And also Salvation Army is known to have the bell ringers right outside the store is collecting donations.

It seems there has been less of them outside.

Why is that?

>> Well, you know, we just had a difficult time really, really hiring in getting in more volunteers.

So many times people who the Bills are volunteers.

On and people are volunteering in other areas right now, packing food boxes donating toys in and riding on our on our truck.

Serving food people are finding different ways to give either through the red kettle or through the mail appeal.

And got to tell you people there would goes thing.

The bucket is the income.

But the outcome of the income is food, shelter and clothing.

>> And I want to leave this and a happy note.

What can people do to help this holiday season?

>> We'll Army Chicago Dot Org is is one of the websites that you can go to or we You know, we've got 4 days left without ringing.

If you see some more rain in the Baylor cattle drop a dollar, drop $2.

And because, you know, those those dollars and up at the end of the day and those dollars help us to provide soup.

So and salvation.

>> And I have a final question here because what I find interesting you kind of mentioned about do you see a difference in generational giving when it comes to donations and volunteers?

>> I really do.

I think you know, right now, people people want to donate their time and their talent.

They may not have much as they had year before.

And this generation.

I think it's let me get my time.

Let me give my town you know, the treasure may not come right away.

the school teachers music teachers and social workers and counselors and people at the local church is the time.

And the talent is just as good as the Treasury and this generation understands that very well.

>> Well, they help you reach