Youth Ranch Seeing Fewer Donations

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Officials with the Idaho Youth Ranch say they're seeing dramatically fewer donations this summer compared to previous years and managers are worried there may not be enough to get through the winter.

Youth Ranch Vice President Jeff Meyers told the Idaho Press-Tribune that only about 20 boxes of household goods were in the warehouse Wednesday. That compares to about 1,300 boxes used to fill the shelves of 27 thrift stores last July. Meyers says typically donations pick up in May and build through June and July and then drop off significantly in the winter.

He says he's not sure why donations are slowing this year. The Idaho Youth Ranch uses money from the thrift shops to help at-risk families and youth dealing with abuse, mental illness and family conflicts.