Salvation Army hopes to reach $50,000 goal
PHOTOS PROVIDED Two Salvation Army volunteers ring the bell for the organization’s Red Kettle Drive outside of Walmart in Mill Hall.
PHOTOS PROVIDED Lt. Kendall Stout, who heads the Lock Haven Salvation Army, is pictured ringing the bell for the Red Kettle Drive outside of Walmart in Mill Hall.
PHOTO PROVIDED Santa Claus himself joined in on the Red Kettle Drive outside of a bank on Main Street in Lock Haven. The Salvation Army in Lock Haven currently only sets up shop for bell ringing outside of Walmart in Mill Hall.
PHOTOS PROVIDED Two Salvation Army volunteers ring the bell for the organization’s Red Kettle Drive outside of Walmart in Mill Hall.
PHOTOS PROVIDED Lt. Kendall Stout, who heads the Lock Haven Salvation Army, is pictured ringing the bell for the Red Kettle Drive outside of Walmart in Mill Hall.
PHOTO PROVIDED Santa Claus himself joined in on the Red Kettle Drive outside of a bank on Main Street in Lock Haven. The Salvation Army in Lock Haven currently only sets up shop for bell ringing outside of Walmart in Mill Hall.
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LOCK HAVEN -- The holidays are just around the corner and the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Drive is looking for volunteers.
Bell ringing at The Salvation Army dates back to 1900 with Amelia Kunkel, a 16-year-old volunteer in New York City. Frustrated by the many passersby near Wall Street who ignored her kettle stand, she went to a nearby Woolworth's department store and bought a small bell for ten cents. After garnering more contributions by ringing the bell, the idea soon spread, starting a holiday tradition that continues today in cities and towns across the nation.
The Red Kettle Campaign began officially on Nov. 18, and throughout the next month volunteers will be ringing bells outside of Walmart in Mill Hall to raise funds for those in need. Every contribution made in the kettle supports numerous programs in the county, including food assistance, rental assistance, utility support, feeding initiatives, after-school programs, day camps and much more.
The Salvation Army in Lock Haven is only able to stand at Walmart, as no other stores allow them to stand in town.
Salvation Army Capt. Kendall Stout says, "The Salvation Army can always use more volunteers, especially in the holiday season. With kettles, food packing, toy distribution -- there is always a need."
The goal this year is $50,000, a hefty task to earn from just one location.
According to a press release from The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division, in the fiscal year that ended in September 2022, bell ringer collective volunteer hours decreased by 11.7%, compared to the previous fiscal year, totaling a $506,123.49 decrease in in-person donations. This amounts to $91.71 lost per hour at every vacant kettle stand.
"I am in awe of the community’s generosity, always. However, with a $50,000 goal and only one kettle location we do see a small decrease in donations. There is still plenty of time to reach this goal, but community support and awareness is crucial to the success of our Red Kettle Campaign," said Capt. Stout.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army's biggest fundraiser, and the money raised in the kettles stays directly in the county.
For those who are unable to access a shelter, the Salvation Army acts as a safe place where they can warm up and eat some provided snacks.
Because the Salvation Army receives state funding they have income guidelines for their pantry program on Tuesdays.
"Total household income is based on 185-percent below poverty level. An example is a household income of one needs to be at or below $25,142 annually, $2,095 monthly or $484 weekly," said Capt. Stout.
They also offer a free food give away on Thursdays that have no stipulations or guidelines, with items donated from Walmart, Sheetz, KFC and any other donation.
According to Capt. Stout, food insecurity is a major crisis; frequently the meals that people receive at the program are the only meal they receive that day. Though the Salvation Army can provide them with additional food for their evening meals, if they're currently living at a shelter they have limited cooking facilities.
In shelters, food options are often restricted to items they can microwave as they will not have access to a full kitchen.
"The way I see it, the more money we raise through this effort, the more people we can help," said Capt. Stout.
The Salvation Army is also looking for extra volunteers to help them get ready to distribute food and gifts to more than 200 families.They need volunteers on the following days:
-- Monday, Dec.18, at 6 p.m. to pack food boxes
-- Tuesday, Dec.19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help carry items to vehicles (boxes of food and bags of toys)
-- Wednesday, Dec. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help with their toy castle
To donate to Lock Haven's Virtual Red Kettle, visit give.salvationarmy.org/campaign/lock-haven-virtual-red-kettle-2023/c516887
For more information about the Red Kettle Drive and other opportunities through The Salvation Army, visit the Salvation Army's Facebook page at The Salvation Army-Lock Haven, Pa.