The Salvation Army of Emporia is in a brief rest period ahead of the start of the new year after a busy and successful holiday period.
During an appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show Monday, Salvation Army Captain Mylie Hadden noted she and her staff have been very busy the last several weeks with two major fundraising efforts, the annual Angel Tree Drive and Red Kettle Campaign. In terms of the Angel Trees, Hadden says she was very happy with the outcome, noting there were more than 300 children in the local community they were hoping to help bless over the holiday season.
Of the tags placed on the trees, Hadden says all were claimed and more than 95 percent saw a return, benefiting better than 125 families in total. She says the community response was very uplifting during what can be a difficult time for many.
Turning attention to the Red Kettle Campaign, Hadden says the total came to just over $47,000, slightly below the goal of $50,000; however, she is hopeful some additional donations may come in before the end of the year to raise that total. She also says she is very proud of the amount raised, noting it will go a long way in helping support operations, namely, overhead costs for the army’s food pantry.
Hadden says the pantry is in “okay” shape after a hectic holiday period, including a November that saw a noticeable rise in need as a result of uncertainty regarding SNAP benefits caused by the Federal Government Shutdown. As for what she expects in the coming 12 months, Hadden says, “The need is always there.” However, she feels 2026 will bring a level of uncertainty.
In a time where costs only appear to be going up nationwide, Hadden says the Salvation Army is in the process of making improvements to its facilities to help decrease costs. This includes the recent installation of energy-efficient lighting within their facility.
