Kenneth Hodder, national commander of the Salvation Army, said it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Salvation Army has seen a tsunami of humanitarian needs since the epidemic began in mid-March.
Since March, the Salvation Army USA has provided more than 100 million meals, 1.5 million nights of safe shelter, plus emotional and spiritual assistance to the U.S. Provides 800,000 people in. They expect that number to grow, increasing their need for services by 155% during the holiday season. Those services include putting food on the table, paying bills, providing shelter, and helping to place gifts under a tree.
“We’re going to go from an average of about 2.6 million people to 6.6 million people every year.”
“Our traditional red kettle campaign, a symbol of Christmas and caring for each other Americans, will be increasingly difficult this year.”
“We believe that Christmas is a threat to millions of Americans,” the commander said. “The need we see at Christmas will last even longer than the holidays.”
Last year, the Salvation Army raised 126 million with its Red Kettle campaign; They expect to bring in just as much as half this year
“It would be disastrous for our ability to meet people’s needs,” Hodger said. “So, for us, the Christmas kettle campaign is not just a symbol, but a means of achieving the resources we need.”
The red kettle goes virtually
Although this year’s campaign got off to an early start, you may not see as many kettles as in the past of Christmas.
“Most people are carrying less cash than in the past. We have less foot traffic at some stores, and as unemployment has risen, so many people who have given to the military in the past are actually coming to us for help.”
“People can go to that website today, and they can make a one-time donation, find volunteer opportunities and enlist in the military and give a ટ 25 monthly survival gift,” Hodd added.
Local donations will continue in the communities to which it is funded. The Salvation Army guarantees that .82 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the needy.
“We want to make sure that everyone who comes to the Salvation Army has their need not only for Christmas, but also to know that there is hope and a bright future ahead.”
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