SALVATION ARMY KETTLE DONATIONS DECLINE 13% IN L.A. NEED FOR ASSISTANCE IN SOUTHLAND UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Greeting shoppers with a jingling bell and a smile at the entrance of Ralphs grocery store on Tuesday, Salvation Army worker Darleen Moore said she's seen too many shrugs and too few open wallets this holiday.

Christmas Eve marked the end of the Salvation Army's annual kettle donation program, and throughout the Los Angeles area, giving is down 13 percent. Nationwide, the Salvation Army kettles came up short as much as 30 percent in some communities.

``It has been very, very slow this year - it's hard to convince people to give,'' Moore said, taking a break from bell ringing but keeping an eye on incoming shoppers.

Making the situation worse, the need for assistance in the Southland has increased by nearly 50 percent, said Lt. Col. Al Van Cleef, the Salvation Army Southern California divisional commander.

``People are struggling with how to best balance their own budgets - they do not have as much discretionary money as last year,'' Van Cleef said. ``That's also proven by the fact that we have more people coming to us for assistance this year than last year.''

The L.A. numbers have Van Cleef worried that programs for the needy could face cuts at a time when they are in the highest demand.

From last year to this year, the Southern California Salvation Army has seen about 170,000 more people asking for assistance - and with kettle donations down, the Salvation Army will have $200,000 less to help people.

Last year's Los Angeles area total kettle donations came to about $1.5 million - this year capped off at $1.3 million, according to estimates Tuesday.

Salvation Army officials blame the shortfall on everything from a slumping economy to international unrest.

``People are holding on to their wallets because of the economy and we may be going to war - now,'' said Barbara Sloan, captain of the Glendale Salvation Army. ``But need knows no seasons, as the Army saying goes.''

In Glendale, kettle donations are down more than 15 percent - $71,000 last year and $59,000 this year.

``Right now, we help as many people as show up, but there's a potential that we won't be able to do that based on this year's total donations in Glendale,'' Sloan said.

Despite the end of the kettle program, officials remain hopeful that last-minute New Year's donations will save them from programming cuts.

``I hope there will be a wonderful, generous Santa Claus that comes around and helps us this time of year,'' Van Cleef said. ``I have great faith in the people of Los Angeles.''

Charities nationwide are facing similar crises, as the most productive time of year for giving - the holidays - is proving to be lackluster for everyone.

``It's been a long time since charities have been in this situation, and we're not comfortable with it, especially with needs growing,'' Dorothy Ridings, president of the Washington-based Council on Foundations told Newhouse News Service. ``It makes for a lot of nail-biting.''

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Photo:

Darleen Moore, above, a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, solicits donations outside a Ralphs in Glendale on Christmas Eve.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer