Salvation Army in Kalamazoo looks to expand help to unemployed

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - One local charity has four days to raise $9,000 dollars if it wants to get extra help for the recently unemployed.

The folks at the Kalamazoo chapter of the Salvation Army recently got a bold promise from their main office; get people to pledge money, totaling $9,000 and they will win an $18,000 grant to help the unemployed, but they have to have the pledges in by Friday.

The Salvation Army hopes people will see it as a charitable investment; give one dollar to get two more.

"Their money will basically be tripled in terms of our effect, our assistance to people that are out of work right now," said Capt. Tom McComb, of the Salvation Army in Kalamazoo.

The organization has tried to help the swelling ranks of the unemployed, but have had to turn people away.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Capt. McComb has to make a hard push for donors in order to secure a special grant to help the unemployed.

"We're usually given a lot of lead time, our staff is able to really put a lot of thought and a lot of time in terms of putting something together," said Capt. McComb, "in order to raise $9,000 that's really not to short of a period of time."

McComb believes that the community will step up to the plate, since so many have been watching friends, neighbors and family go on unemployment and start that search for a job.

"If there is a need that's expressed, people will rise to the occasion and people in this community are really generous," said McComb.

For the ranks of the newly unemployed, like Doug Sygnecki, the Salvation Army can be a great help. They helped Sygnecki pay utility bills and more. Sygnecki hopes the group can meet the stiff deadline and be able to continue helping folks like him.

"In the current economy it's very difficult," said Sygnecki, "there's everybody in the same position I am looking for food, help with assistance and the mortgage bill just to stay afloat."

The Salvation Army only needs letters from people pledging money to help, you can fax or email their office. Emails can be directed to tom.mccomb@salvationarmy.org or faxed to Salvation Army Kalamazoo at 269-344-1163, the number for the local Salvation Army is 269-344-6119. Pledges need to be received by Friday to be counted.