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Updated 07/09/2012 05:56 PM

Decreasing funds affecting Salvation Army summer programs

By: Bill Mich

The Salvation Army in Corning provides people in need with food and clothing, helps the less fortunate pay for rent and utilities and runs various programs throughout the year. One in particular is the Kid's Cafe summer program. But as our Bill Mich tells us, a lack in funding is starting to have an effect on how much the Salvation Army can provide.

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CORNING, N.Y. -- During the summer months, kids may be off from school, but parents still need to work and day care can get expensive. In Corning, the Salvation Army runs a program called "Kid's Cafe" that helps put a parent's mind at ease.

"This is a huge service to the parents because they don't have to try to find child care. They know the kids are safe, they know they are having fun, they're doing different activities," said program director Barbra Stiles.

And the best part for parents is that it is provided free of charge. The children are fed and kept busy throughout the day.

"We went to the pool and it was awesome because I got to play with my friends and I got to have a little time outside. Like, you have to have some time outside," said six-year-old Amma Decamp.

But times are getting a tough in Corning. For the past two years, the Red Kettle Campaign run during the holiday season has failed to meet the Salvation Army's fundraising goal. That money not only helps provide for the less fortunate in the area but funds the organization's various programs, like Kid's Cafe.

"It becomes very difficult because we have to turn families away because we can only take so many kids based on our figures for who we can pay. I have 19 counselors on staff, plus I have a kitchen person and I have the leader who comes in early and stays late," said Stiles.

Officials are hoping the fundraising fortunes turn around soon because the last thing they want to do is decrease the number of kids in the program and watch the number of families on the waiting list continue to grow. They ask that the next time you see the Red Kettle, you think about how much good your money could do, not just around Christmas, but all year long.