Clarksville Salvation Army Struggles To Make Ends Meet - Cindy Carter

Shopper Jerry Keith walks by a Salvation Army display outside a Clarksville Krogers and tosses a few coins in an empty water cooler. "They need the money," Keith says, "and we got a little change in our pocket."

Keith's extra change will keep Clarksville's Salvation Army open for business. Captain Ryan Brown says a shortage in donations means they risk not having enough to cover operational costs for the remainder of the year.

Revenue from their Family Story helps but its not enough. Also, money from their annual Christmas kettle campaign only takes them through the first half of the year.

Captain Ryan Brown says, "We need the other half and so this summer fundraiser called 'Beat the Summer Heat', we're hoping will push us through until Christmas." Brown hopes to raise $50,000 from folks giving at beach themed displays.

The one outside Jerry Keith's Kroger shows a wading pool, beach towels, leis and an emptied water container for people to drop their donations. The Salvation Army does have money in the bank, but it's tied to a brand new, 70 bed homeless shelter.

That shelter will be built next to the Family Store. The old shelter recently shut down because, Brown says, it became too costly to keep it open. He hopes this summer fundraising campaign prevents other programs from shutting down as well.
Clarksville Salvation Army Struggles To Make Ends Meet - Cindy Carter