The Salvation Army Peterborough is launching its annual Christmas fundraising campaign facing an $88,000 shortfall from last year and continuing growth in demand for its services.
The organization’s Hope for All Seasons mail-out appeal begins in early November, followed by the launch of its familiar Christmas kettles across Peterborough on Thursday, November 12. Fundraising will continue through December 31, with a goal of raising $675,000.
Money raised during the holiday campaign determines much of the budget available for community and family services during the following year. According to the Salvation Army, last year’s campaign ultimately brought in $582,000 of the $670,000 it says was needed to meet expected demand in 2026.
The final $88,000 gap came despite a late surge in giving.
In late December last year, the organization told kawarthaNOW it was still about $150,000 short of its $675,000 campaign goal, warning that the shortfall could affect its ability to provide services during 2026. At the same time, it reported a 15 per cent increase in the number of people accessing its programs during 2025.
That pressure has continued this year.
By the end of 2026, the Salvation Army expects its breakfast program alone will have served around 26,000 meals.
“We had to find creative solutions to ensure everyone received something,” said Major Naomi Dalley, supervisor of the Salvation Army Peterborough’s social services program. “It has been a hard year.”
The organization experienced an unexpected increased demand for services this fall when One City Peterborough’s Trinity Community Hub in downtown Peterborough temporarily closed for repairs on September 23.
The hub, which reopened October 19, provides a daytime drop-in and meal program as well as overnight shelter for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. During the closure, some people who would normally use Trinity turned to the Salvation Army for assistance.
“Whenever a local resource centre experiences a setback, we experience part of the ripple effect,” Dalley said.
Trinity Community Hub normally provides meals and refreshments, washrooms and showers, basic supplies, health and housing supports, and overnight shelter for up to 45 adults.
The Salvation Army’s own services include its food bank and hot breakfast program, along with emergency financial assistance for needs including rent, utilities, and medical expenses.
It also operates a trustee program to help clients manage finances and criminal justice services supporting people with restitution requirements and those returning to the community after incarceration.
The organization’s Christmas Assistance Program provides grocery cards to individuals and families along with toys for children.
When last year’s Hope for All Seasons campaign launched, the Salvation Army was already reporting record demand. More than 500 voicemails were received shortly after telephone registration opened for Christmas assistance, while lineups at its breakfast program and food bank had continued to grow.
The organization has previously said the composition of people seeking help has also changed. While the breakfast program once primarily served people experiencing homelessness, families, students, and people heading to work have increasingly been turning to the program as housing and food costs strain household budgets.
“The $88,000 shortfall hit hard, and we still have a couple of months to go,” Dalley said of the impact on this year’s operations.
She is hoping the community will respond to this year’s campaign with the additional support needed to close that gap while meeting projected demand in 2027.
“Every donation helps us continue providing essential services to people who need them,” she said.
The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettles will begin appearing at locations throughout Peterborough on November 12.
The kettles accept cash and coins, while TipTap terminals allow people to donate using debit or credit cards. QR codes are also available for online donations.
A kettle will also be at the Peterborough Petes’ Teddy Bear Toss game on December 10.
Donations can be mailed or delivered in person to The Salvation Army Peterborough at 219 Simcoe Street. Donations can also be made by phone at 705-742-4391 ext. 6 or online at salvationarmyptbo.org.
The Salvation Army has been providing services in Peterborough since 1885.
