A change in national policy by Target Corp. will eliminate the charity from the department stores here and across the country.

"It is going to be true," said Kenny Farr, manager of the Medford store, who said he received a companywide memo about the change.

That’s hardly cheery news to officials at the Salvation Army Medford Citadel, where Target has been the agency’s third most popular kettle collection site.

Last year, contributions at Target racked up more than $8,000 of the $100,000 in total kettle income, said Development Director Carrie Hanson.

Only the area’s two Fred Meyer stores bring in more kettle donations, she said.

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"It’s just too bad," Hanson said. "They’ve been a wonderful community partner."

National news reports indicate that Target Corp., which operates 1,272 stores in 47 states, decided earlier this year to end a longtime agreement that allowed the Salvation Army to solicit funds at its stores.

"I understood they would no longer be able to justify allowing us in when they turn away thousands of other requests," Hanson said.

Kettle collections make up a portion of the local Salvation Army’s $2 million annual budget. The Target collections in particular provided funds that paid for 356 bed nights at the agency’s transitional shelter, 1,069 hot meals and 822 food boxes for needy families, Hanson said.

"The loss of income means the potential loss of services for people," she said.

For information, contact the Salvation Army at 773-6965.