COLUMBIA BASIN - The Salvation Army is running low on donations this year.

Salvation Army Community Relations Director Joann Hosszu said she could not release the amount of donations collected by volunteer bell ringers but said the collections are far less than in past years.

"This time it's getting scary," she said.

This weekend is the last weekend the bell ringers are collecting donations. She urges people to give donations because they go back to the community.

Hosszu said the funds are used throughout the Columbia Basin all year for various needs such as rent and mortgage payments, food, medical needs and electricity bills.

She said hundreds of families and individuals are helped through The Salvation Army.

Hosszu said there is a tree at Denny's restaurant featuring types of children's gifts people can buy for families who can't afford Christmas gifts.

She said there are 30 families The Salvation Army can't give presents to this year.

"We're a little bit low right now," Hosszu said. "These are people who won't have anything."

The Salvation Army accepts donations year-round at their office.

The main office is located at 320 Cedar St. in Moses Lake.

The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.