One of the most heart-warming holiday traditions has returned, with the Salvation Army's Kettle campaign kicking off locally.
“Our main program is our food bank, where we provide people with a hamper of food,” said Jennifer Morris, community and family services manager with the Stratford-St.Marys Regional Salvation Army. “We also offer a low-income tax program, we also do backpacks for kids going back to school, send children to camp, provide vouchers to the Salvation Army thrift store, vouchers to help spay and neutering your pets, there is also a mobile food bank.”
The local organization only receives government support when they apply for it, so all the funds that support the community come from the community. That’s where the Salvation Army needs your help; the annual Kettle Campaign kicked off on November 14 and goes until Christmas Eve.
“The Kettle Campaign along with our mail out campaign are our big fundraisers for the year,” said Morris. “This is how we raise our operating budget for the following year, so these programs help determine what we can offer the following year for our community.”
The community need is high, as over twenty different holiday campaigns and counting have been launched by various organizations around Stratford to help those in need this holiday season.
“The need has definitely increased,” said Morris. “It’s not just those people on social assistance or those who are having a hard time, we are seeing people who are working multiple jobs or have multiple people in a household working and the money just isn’t there.”
The Campaign will be accessible with donations being accepted in various parts of the city. Tax receipts will be handed out to people who request them.
“Most of our kettles are inside, with one outside in the downtown area,” said Morris. “A few of the kettles even offer tap capabilities so people are able to use their cards to make a donation, but most are still the traditional kettle that accepts cash donations.”
With the needs growing, and a large number of kettle locations, volunteers are needed for the Salvation Army’s campaign.
“I was just doing a count, and Stratford alone has 1,000 shifts to fill between now and Christmas,” said Morris. “488 shifts have been filled, so we have just over half remaining. It’s not a hard job, as all you do is stand at the kettle and thank the community for their donations. Its the perfect opportunity to get volunteer hours for students.”
Volunteers can reach out to the local Salvation Army on their Facebook page, but calling the office at 519-271-2950 will put you in touch with people at the organization's office.
There are several Stratford locations you can support: Sobeys, No Frills, the LCBO on Wellington Street and at Festival Marketplace, Food Basics, Zehrs, Canadian Tire and Wal-mart.
