By LUKE VOOGT
A 27 PER CENT fall in doorknock donations has disappointed the Geelong Salvation Army.
The first weekend raised $64,412, compared to $88,100 in 2015.
Salvos captain Craig Wood said donations were slightly down nationally over the past five years, which he put down to a crowded fund-raising market and declining economy.
“There are many good causes out there,” he said.
“Sometimes, it’s just hard to attract the donations we need to do what we do.”
The doorknock is the main fund-raiser for the Salvos’ Red Shield Appeal, which runs each financial year.
Mr Wood hoped Geelong would give generously when the doorknock continued this weekend so the Salvos could make ground on last year’s $113,000.
Last year Geelong received nearly every dollar back fivefold, with the Salvos allocating about $500,000 for local homeless and disadvantaged support.
“The need’s far greater in Geelong than what’s given,” Mr Wood said.
The decrease followed a trend in Victoria, where the Salvos raised $1,170,502 over the weekend, down seven per cent on last year’s $1,257,173.
The Australian total for the weekend was $4,721,316.
Mr Wood said the Salvos were collecting donations at salvationarmy.org.au or on 13 72 58).
