RICHMOND, Ky. — A central Kentucky Salvation Army corps needs more donations to hit its Red Kettle fundraising goal. The Richmond Salvation Army said it has only raised around 40% of its $65,000 goal.

It’s a sight and sound familiar with Christmas: the Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and volunteers collecting funds to help those in need. Corps Officer Kevin Justice said it's the nonprofit's biggest fundraiser of the year.

“The kettle is actually our sustainability for the year," Justice said. "It will be the funds we use for rental assistance, those that are facing eviction, those that are facing disconnects on utilities." 

All donations stay local, and $0.83 from every dollar goes to families in need. Richmond's corps is hoping to raise $65,000 but is only about 40% of the way to reaching its goal.

“We’re at $28,000 or something like that; the bad part about it is that we have had more need and less volunteers and less general donations in the kettle," Justice said.

Justice said the community has been generous and has helped donate toys for more than 900 children as part of the Angel Tree program. Funds raised help families in Madison and eight eastern Kentucky counties year-round.

“The biggest push in most of those rural counties is food and also our Christmas assistance with Angel Tree and then again in disaster needs," Justice said.

Donations are accepted through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. People can give to kettles outside stores, online or by mailing a check. Justice said every little bit helps.

“Thank you for those that have (given)," Justice said. "We have seen people that are very appreciative through the giving that’s happened already." 

Volunteers are also needed to ring bells. Most shifts are two hours, and people can sign up online.

The Lexington Salvation Army said it’s only about 50% toward its goal of $150,000.