Ray said without knowing if the kettle campaign can happen, which accounts for roughly an eighth of the budget, they are also unable to do the red kettle kick off luncheon, which he said accounts for $50,000 to $60,000.
“What we’re having to do is get creative this year," he said. “We realize that the kettles are more than just the money. The money is a vehicle, the kettles are a vehicle to bring help to those who need it most in our counties... It’s bigger than Christmas toys. It’s keeping people’s electricity on in the cold months, it’s helping them not to get evicted and putting food on their tables."
To not have the kettles out or to even have less days of ringing and a lot less locations, Ray said, the Salvation Army will have some struggle.
“We’re going to struggle a little bit, but the beauty of this community is that once they understand and know the challenges, because there’s a lot of people that believe in what we do and understand that 82 cents of every dollar that’s put in that kettle goes back into the community, that means a lot to them and we take great pride in that,” he said.
Ray added that 63% of people are also carrying less cash and coin now because of health concerns.
“We know that even if we have all of our kettles out that not only will there be less money in people’s pockets in cash and coin, but we also know that a lot more people are using contactless, curbside delivery pick up so there’s going to be a lot less foot traffic near and around the kettles,” he said.
A couple of other ways to help this season is the paper kettle campaign and the online kettle campaign, which will both run from Nov. 2 to Dec. 22.
All of the Lee’s Chicken locations, Subway on Derr Road, South Limestone Street and in the Wal-Mart on Tuttle Road, Casa Del Sabor on Derr Road and Los Mariachis on East Main Street will all be participating in the paper kettle campaign, Ray said. When you’re at the register and buying food, people can donate a dollar by using cash or card and write their name on a paper kettle that will be put up for people to see.
The online kettle campaign will be a contest with prizes and trophies, and winners will be announced on Dec. 23.
“This is really going to encourage kids to get involved... We’re excited about this because at the Salvation Army, what we’re really about is getting kids to see how important it is to give back, to serve, to see the world as bigger than just themselves,” Ray said.
Ray said the Highway Hikers Toy Run will still also be taking place on Oct. 18, while following safety protocols including not congregating and the toys will be stored and untouched. He also said there will be angel trees out in early November and people can still call and adopt family or kid.
“Now more than ever this is a time for the community to rally and make sure that no kid falls through the cracks or the families fall through the cracks,” he said.
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