With less than four days remaining in the 2017 Christmas Kettle Campaign, the situation is becoming desperate for the Calgary and area Salvation Army. 

The Army finds itself nearly $700,000 short of it's $1.25 million fundraising goal and is struggling to find volunteers to fill empty kettle shifts.

Lieutenant Colonel Larry Martin, Director of Special Projects with the Salvation Army says not only are they far away from their goal for this year, they're also way behind last year.

"I'm not sure where we are today compared to where we were last year at this time, but I know on Saturday when I had the last figures, we were more than $100,000 short of the same time last year."

Martin told Discover Airdrie a week ago that only 55 percent of the kettle shifts had been filled and 45 percent remained empty, some in very key areas of the city.  He says, while the number has improved somewhat, they're still a long way from having sufficient volunteers.

"We're about 65 percent full and 35 percent not full.  So it's improved but we still have quite a bit of vacuum there yet.

Funds raised during the Kettle Campaign are used by the Army year round to provide vulnerable Calgary and area residents with programs and services, such as ESL classes for newcomers and the running of a women's shelter.

Martin says he's not really sure what will happen if they're unable to make up the shortfall.

"We're committed to helping people wherever there's a need and doing the best we can.  I would think as the year progresses we would have to make some adjustments.  I don't what those would look like.  There may be other donations that come in as the year progresses.  Our hope is that we don't have to curtail services in any way.   We still want to keep the same level of service that we're accustomed to providing."

If you'd like to volunteer for a shift at the kettles you can do so by calling 403 410-1113 or by visiting tsacalgarykettles.com. If you'd like to make a donation but don't know where to find a kettle, you can make one online at fillthekettle.com.

Colonel Martin says that, as part of a faith-based organization like the Salvation Army, he has faith that Calgary and area will come through for them in the end.

"People in Calgary and area have always been most supportive and generous and we're counting on them continuing in that fashion this year.  We recognize that we're quite a bit behind our goal but we're anticipating that people will rally for us and help us reach it over the next number of days that are left in the campaign."

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