Annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is now under way
Christmas is an especially important time for The Salvation Army, which distributes Christmas food boxes to families in need, gift cards for food for senior citizens and toys to families in need for wrapping under the Christmas tree. The Red Kettle bell-ringing campaign is a major component of the fund raising effort, officials said.
“This area is facing record numbers of the poor and destitute needing basic human services such as enough food to eat and a place to lay their heads,” said Major Mark Anderson, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander of The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit. “Donating to The Salvation Army is the most direct way to help those touched by the state's continued economic woes, because .85 cents of every dollar given in your community goes directly to fund programs that change lives.”
Officials from the Salvation Army explained that the need this year is greater than ever for the most vulnerable-those who may be choosing between paying rent or buying Christmas presents for their children, getting their medications or putting food on the table for their family. The effects of the pandemic have been felt in an extreme manner by many local families, they said.
The 82-day campaign began with tree lighting ceremonies in several local communities this month.
This year, the goal is $8.2 million, a figure needed to ensure the organization can continue providing more than 3 million meals and nearly 700,000 nights of shelter each year to the less fortunate, officials said.
Founded by William and Catherine Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. This past year, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit was involved in providing 3,194,802 million meals and 687,203 nights of shelter for the homeless. For more information about The Salvation Army, call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit www.salmich. org.
