The Salvation Army in St. Joseph said it’s falling alarmingly behind on its Christmas fund and toy drives.

The Salvation Army announced Monday that its Annual Red Kettle Campaign is well behind this time last year. A shortage of bell ringers and the rainy start of the season has placed the effort more than $10,000 behind this time last year (2014-$28,046) (2015-$18,250.). The overall Christmas goal for The Salvation Army for 2015 is $375,000.00, with $125,000 of that goal being raised through the kettle portion.

The agency said funds are currently dangerously low and adds that the funds raised at Christmas are critical to the year around ministries and services provided to local residents and families.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree Donations are markedly low as well. Last year the Angel Trees provided for more than 400 children. This year, applications indicate that over 660 children have applied for assistance. Salvation Army Angel trees and/or toy collection barrels or boxes are located at Slim for Life, Home Depot, Cracker Barrel, Bank Midwest, and the three Burger King stores in Saint Joseph. The agency said the public is invited to drop toys off at KQ2 TV as well or at The Salvation Army, 602 Messanie.