'Tis the season for giving....

And the local Salvation Army is hoping Whitehorse residents will continue choosing to give to the local shelter this year.

Donations in the local Salvation Army's annual kettle campaign are down by about $15,000 compared to this time last year, Capt. Jeff Howard said in an interview Tuesday afternoon.

The kettle campaign is the major fund-raising initiative for the Salvation Army, with the money going to expenses for the following year.

Locally, the major operational expense is the local shelter and soup kitchen, and the church has a goal of raising $75,000 through its kettle campaign during the Christmas season.

As of last Saturday, the campaign had raised $30,000.

Asked why he thinks donations are down over this time in 2011, Howard suggested it's "probably a combination” of factors.

Some people may have missed the kettles, set up in stores throughout the city. Howard is hopeful they'll catch them this week in the days leading up to Christmas.

He pointed out that Walmart will be matching all kettle donations made at its store today.

He also suggested residents may be choosing to donate in other ways.

Along with the kettle campaign, the Salvation Army does an annual mail-in campaign during the Christmas season.

It has a goal of raising another $80,000 through that, making an overall fund-raising goal of $155,000 for the season.

Howard noted the organization won't know numbers from the mail-in campaign until after Christmas.

If it meets its overall goal, it really doesn't matter which campaign the funding comes from.

"It's all the same for us,” he said.

There's also another option for giving this year.

By texting HOPE2013 to 45678, a $5 donation will be made to a virtual kettle in Whitehorse.

Howard noted that while the Salvation Army has made texting an option for national fund-raisers, this marks the first time it's been an option locally, with other numbers offered as well for other communities.

Online donations are also being accepted at fillthekettle.com and can be directed to a local Salvation Army of the giver's choosing.

Howard noted his hope that a variety of options will make it more convenient for anyone wanting to give.

The fund-raising efforts come at a time when the organization has seen the biggest need over the last year.

Where the soup kitchen averaged about 3,500 meals in past years, it's now close to 5,000 for 2012, he said.

And the shelter is generally full, even with its expanded capacity of 14 beds and 16 mats available.

Howard said organizers are preparing to have about 200 people in for its Christmas dinner set for 1 p.m. Christmas Day.

A lot of hands can make light work, and Howard invites anyone wanting to volunteer to call Shannon at 393-8320 to become involved.

Along with making Christmas a little brighter for those who might not otherwise get a festive dinner, the Salvation Army is looking to make the season a little happier for local children whose families may not be able to give them a toy to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Applications are still being taken for the group's toy drive and donations are still being accepted for those who want to give.

Howard noted that the Salvation Army is working with the Share the Spirit campaign as well to ensure toys get to as many children who may not otherwise get them.