The annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign has officially started.
Volunteers will be at locations around Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon with the iconic red kettle to gather donations until Dec. 24.
“We are in six locations now, which are Walmart with two, Cherry Lane Mall with two and Super Store and Safeway. As of Dec. 1, we will be at the liquor store,” said Maj. Paul Trickett with the Penticton Salvation Army.
The Penticton Salvation Army has a goal of raising about $160,000 and the donations go beyond the Christmas season to support the many needs of the food bank.
“Not only food but also supplementing our distribution of clothing, footwear and household goods as needed by our clients,” said Trickett.
“This year more than others, the need is never-ending and without this fundraiser, we just won’t be able to meet the ever-increasing needs we are seeing.”
Just last month, one of the food delivery trucks was destroyed by a fire in Penticton. Trickett said the organization will need to look into replacing the truck soon.
“We are also wanting to start utilizing our emergency disaster truck in the new year by doing meals one or two days a week in the community as we are able,” he said.
“We are also needing to work on replacing our recently burnt truck, which we are unsure how that will turn out.”
The kettles will be out from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until Christmas Eve.
A tap-to-donate option is available for those who don’t have cash handy and there is also the mailout campaign, where people can mail in donations.