Monday, December 29th 2014, 6:48 pm
Oklahoma charities are making a last minute push for donations before the year is up.
Some need help to meet fundraising goals, while others are impressed with the spike in giving this holiday season.
Non-profit organizations said the need for assistance always goes up during the holidays when many families have to pick between paying for food or turning on the heater.
Volunteers with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma said they are making a final push for donations to meet their goal.
“Oklahomans are always very generous for giving, whenever we ask them for help, they always step up to the plate and help fight hunger, but we do need more donations,” said Angie Doss with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
Doss said this year's numbers are slightly behind last year's, possibly because of the shorter time frame between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
However, the need never changes.
Every dollar provides ten meals and the food bank provides enough food to feed 110,000 Oklahomans every week.
“It's a real thing that happens every year for our Oklahoma neighbors and we are here to help, but we're here to help because of the community,” Doss added.
The Salvation Army said its red kettle campaign this year is up slightly from last year.
“You know, it's hard to get by that ringing bell and not have your memory jogged,” said Major Carlyle Gargis with the Salvation Army.
When the last bell rang Christmas Eve, this year's donation drive brought in about $544,000.
That was a huge help, considering the Salvation Army also had more families needing Christmas assistance this year.
“Many, many families came requesting assistance for food and toys and of course, the Salvation Army was there to meet those needs,” said Maj. Gargis.
Food bank volunteers said they are also hoping for a success story and believe they can still meet their goal with the public's help.
From now until Jan. 15, Chesapeake Energy and the Cresap Family Foundation will match every single dollar donated to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma up to $1 million.
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