Prince George, B.C. – Two weeks into the Prince George Salvation Army’s kettle campaign and the non-profit is already behind last year’s fundraising pace.

“We’ve just surpassed the $50,000 mark so that’s 20 per cent of our fundraising goal and we’re tracking a little behind where we were last year, but not substantially behind so we’re not worried yet,” says Capt. Neil Wilkinson. “We know that Prince George is an amazing town that always supports its charities and we also know that it’s a last-minute community as well.”

Last year they raised just under $250,000 and Wilkinson notes it’s too early in the holiday season to start panicking yet.

“As we look at getting into the first week of December, we’re hoping to see the kettle totals start matching and tracking a little bit closer to last year’s total.”

He says all proceeds stay local and help meet the growing demand of the community.

“The funds raised this time of year are the funds that we use to carry the Salvation Army throughout the entire year,” says Wilkinson. “We’re currently feeding 1,500 families – over 3,800 people each month.”

He says they would also welcome more volunteers to man kettles around town – especially in the north end of the city.

“We have 12 kettle locations and in particular the locations in the Hart are some of the toughest to find volunteers for. So, if anybody has any time to spare at all, I would love to hear from them by calling 250-596-HOPE.”