DEDHAM, Mass. — The familiar sound of the iconic red kettlebells are ringing again this holiday season, but there are fewer of them and donations aren’t what the Salvation Army typically receives during its annual Red Kettle Campaign.
While volunteers stick to strict Covid-19 guidelines, like wearing masks and socially distancing outside of stores, the charity organization said it expects to collect only about half as much as it did in 2019.
“Last year the Red Kettle Campaign raised $2.6 million across the Commonwealth and we’re anticipating a significant loss of possibly 50% or more this year,” said Major Marcus Jugenheimer, General Secretary, Salvation Army Massachusetts Division.
Major Jugenheimer said some stores aren’t permitting the red kettles due to safety concerns over Covid-19. They’re also seeing fewer volunteers, many of whom are typically elderly, and fewer shoppers. He said more people are opting to shop online.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army’s single largest fundraising event of the year. This year, the need is greater than ever. Since March, the Salvation Army has provided more than 13 million meals.
“In some of our locations where we were serving 50 or 60 families a day, that has multiplied ten-fold. In locations like Lynn we’re servicing 500 families a day, Chelsea 600 families a day,” Jugenheimer said.
Donors don’t have to touch the kettles if they don’t wish to. Each kettle will have the opportunity for people to donate electronically using their smartphones through Apple Pay or Google Pay and there will also be a QR code on each kettle. Jugenheimer also said fewer people carry cash, which has a big impact on donations.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army through Amazon Alexa or online here.
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