The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is down about 10 percent compared to last year— when it raised nearly $2.5 million in Southern California— according to the organization.
In an effort to reach its goal of $3 million, The Salvation Army is increasing its efforts and asking the public to make the kettle season a success. The charity measures its success by the number of men, women and children it is able to serve throughout the year, and the income from its iconic Red Kettles provides a substantial amount of those resources that provide more than a million meals, services to at-risk youth and veterans— and makes it possible that each and every night 2,767 people sleep under a Salvation Army roof, according to the organization.
Several factors have contributed to the situation, including not standing kettles on Sundays, which automatically gives the organization fewer days in the season to collect donations. Additionally, the organization has fewer kettles out in the field from the year before.
“We thank the good people of Southern California who have already dropped their spare change into our red kettles, and I can assure them their money will make real change in the lives of so many families who come to The Salvation Army looking for shelter, food and a variety of essential social services,” said Lt. Colonel Kyle Smith, divisional commander of The Salvation Army’s Southern California Division. “We’re hoping that shoppers will remember their neighbors in need these last two weeks of the kettle season and be as generous as they can to help.”
The Salvation Army in Southern California is encouraging the public to donate to the more than 289 Red Kettles found on street corners, in malls and at local retailers, or to give online at salvationarmysocal.org. Donations can also be mailed to Divisional headquarters at 180 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach CA. 90802 or called into 1-800-SALARMY.
