Kim May, director of the Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store in Troy, is not singing a sad song but sales are down at the thrift store, as well as donations. Monetary donations are also down and the Red Kettle campaign, which is the Salvation Army’s largest fund-raiser, is more than a month away.

“Probably, the main reason sales and donations are down is the economy,” May said. “But we continue to get requests for assistance every day. A lot of people are still out of work and utility bills are on the rise with the hot weather. That makes it especially hard on the elderly who are living solely on their Social Security checks. We are getting requests for assistance that we can’t approve because the money’s just not there.”

May said that donations to the Thrift Store and store sales keep money in the local Salvation Army’s coffer.

“We want to encourage everyone to think about the Salvation Army when they have clothes, furniture, appliances and miscellaneous items to donate,” May said. “All donations to the Salvation Army and the revenue from the Thrift Store stays right here at home.

“If you donate a dollar to the Pike County Salvation Army, that dollar doesn’t go somewhere else. It stays here in Pike County to help friends and neighbors.”

May said those who receive assistance from the Salvation Army must meet qualification requirements.

“We make sure that the needs are real,” she said. “We have a lot of elderly people who benefit from our food pantry. Some of these people only get $12 in food stamps and so their needs are great.”

Winter is an extremely hard time for many elderly people because of the rising cost of heating.

“The Salvation Army is here to help people in our community,” she said. “I think that it’s important for people to know that 96 percent of the dollars donated to the Salvation Army goes to the cause.

“Our mission is to meet human needs. Right now, we really need for the community to step up and help us meet those needs through donations to and support of our Thrift Store at 509 South Brundidge Street.

“We have the fall clothing out and at great prices. We have some miscellaneous items that are going for twice the price on eBay. We’ve got a great buy on a roll top desk and on a desk and work center. So, we invite everyone to visit the Salvation Army Thrift Store. You just might find a treasure there.”