Salvation Army in desperate need of bell ringers to help rescue Christmas

With just a few weeks left in The Salvation Army’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Red Kettle Campaign, the nonprofit is sounding the alarm. The Salvation Army is in desperate need of bell ringers to man the kettles and collect donations that fund crucial community programs all year long. This funding has never been more crucial. The need is greater than we’ve seen in recent history due to the pandemic.

All over Northern California, The Salvation Army is seeing fewer people sign up to ring at the iconic Red Kettles. For example, in Redding, the nonprofit is down 75 percent in bell ringer signups. They are only able to put out about three kettles per day, when in a typical holiday season, they’d have 20 out every day collecting donations. This could have a huge impact on programs to help people in need in 2021.

Last year, the Red Kettle Campaign brought in more than $2 million in Northern California. That money is used to fund programs that help feed the hungry, house the homeless, keep families in their homes by helping them with rent and utility assistance, addiction rehabilitation, after school programs, and so much more.

This year, The Salvation Army is seeing an incredible increase in need due to the pandemic. In Sacramento County, for example, the demand for assistance is up 220 percent.

The Salvation Army has put measures in place to keep bell ringers and donors safe at the red kettle. All bell ringers are required to wear a mask at all times, they must maintain social distancing between themselves and donors, and they are required to sanitize the red kettle. Donors can also make a donation without dropping cash, change or checks into the kettle. Each kettle stand is equipped with a Apple and Google pay and a QR code, allowing them to make a contactless donation right from their smart phones.

Those who are able to volunteer can find an opportunity in their community and sign up at BeABellRinger.org. Those who are unable to give their time can choose a community to support financially at VirtualRedKettle.org.