By SCOTT HARRISON

s.harrison@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS - The local Salvation Army faces a 20% increase in requests for assistance in the upcoming holiday season.  At the same time, donations have fallen off by the same amount.  It means for the third straight year, organizers will struggle to raise its goal of funds for the needy.

Still, Major Don Gilger remains optimistic.  This year's goal is $700,000, to provide toys and meals to the needy for the holidays, and to fund continued operation of assistance programs such as a homeless shelter and soup kitchen.  Gilger says to keep programs operating, the Salvation Army has eliminated 10 positions because of the economy.

Gilger hoped to raise $100,000 at the annual Red Kettle Kick-Off Campaign, a breakfast held Thursday morning at the Antler's Hilton hotel downtown.  About 250 businessmen, corporate sponsors and community leaders attended.

Volunteers begin ringing bells and setting up red kettles outside stores Wednesday.  Gilger says six stores have closed since last holiday season, and the Salvation Army was unable to replace those locations.  Among the stores closing was a K-Mart which served as the only indoor location for elderly volunteers.

Some kettle locations will have credit card machines to give citizens an option for making donations.