The sound of bells ringing fills shopping centres across Saskatoon.
For Ava Fee, 10, this is her third year volunteering for the Salvation Army’s kettle campaign.
“I know all this money is going towards a good cause,” Fee said.
“My favourite part is ringing the bells and giving kids candy canes.”
Volunteers put in 5,000 hours over the five week campaign.
So far, $170,000 has been raised; more than half of the $300,000 goal.
Organizers said the campaign is $12,000 behind its yearly schedule, but the effort has been gaining ground.
“We had been around $28,000 behind a week ago, but we’re slowly chipping away at that,” said Lt. Laurie Sauder with the Saskatoon Salvation Army.
With fewer Canadians carrying cash, the Salvation Army has taken the kettles online, accepting donations through a website and a mobile app.
In some kettle locations in Canada, wireless debit machines have been added, but Sauder said that will take time for the concept to spread to Saskatoon.
“The struggle is making sure you can train all your volunteers and we have so many dedicated volunteers that that might be a challenge,” Sauder said.
A Saskatoon kettle raises on average about $78 an hour, which goes towards community and Christmas programs.
“First and foremost, we make sure that our Christmas hampers go out. We’ve seen an increase of applications this year. So far, there’s been about 4,500 people express need in the community for Christmas this year,” Sauder said.
This year’s food hampers jumped up from 4,000 families last year.
The campaign comes to a close on Dec. 23.