VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Salvation Army’s annual kettle campaign is struggling to reach this year’s goal. With less than two weeks to go, concern is growing.

The aim is to reach $4 million by Christmas Eve, but less than half of that has been reached.

Lauren Chan with the Sally Ann says the cash in the kettles goes to help feed the hungry and provide services for needy families.

She is worried about the numbers. “We are currently down. We are at less than 50 per cent of our target, so we’re sitting at approximately $1.7 million,” she says.

This is in contrast to last year, when the charity was doing better at this time.

Chan is staying hopeful, adding there’s usually a push near the end of the campaign, thanks to last minute donors.

“Typically, there is a sprint to the finish, like a last minute decision (for some people). In the past year, in BC as well as nationally, we did meet our goal,” she says.