Bring on the bells! Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign kicks off Friday in Battle Creek
A sure sign of the holiday season, the ringing of bells outside area grocery stores will return Friday as the Salvation Army once again embarks on its annual Red Kettle Campaign.
The Battle Creek Salvation Army has set a fundraising goal of $200,000 for this year's campaign after raising $185,000 in 2022. The campaign begins Friday and runs through Dec. 23.
"The money raised over the Christmas Campaign goes directly to support the work of the Battle Creek Salvation Army that serves needs across Calhoun and Barry counties," Mika Roinila, corps officer/pastor of the Battle Creek Salvation Army, explained. "The Salvation Army delivers Christmas gifts to nursing home residents in Battle Creek, Hastings, and Marshall and will serve a Thanksgiving Community Dinner on Nov. 21. Christmas gifts and food boxes will be distributed Dec. 18-20 from the Battle Creek location."
The Salvation Army welcomes the support of the community by donating funds and/or ringing bells or hosting a counter kettle during the Red Kettle Campaign. Bell ringers will be stationed at Family Fare stores in Battle Creek, Hastings, Marshall and Albion; Walmart stores in Battle Creek and Hastings; and Sam’s Club, Horrocks, and Hobby Lobby stores in Battle Creek.
Individuals, families, and groups can sign up for bell ringing shifts at registertoring.com.
The Salvation Army provides services to more than 1,000 clients every week. Services include Sally’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen with free lunch six days a week; Sally’s Market, supplemental food available five days a week; an emergency pantry, with a more substantial food assistance available once a month per client; and Social Services Offices, that provide assistance with emergency rental and utilities and other unseen needs.
In an effort to involve the community, the Salvation Army last year challenged area service clubs to compete for the newly established Golden Kettle trophy, awarded to the club that raises the most funds through bell ringing.
The Masons of Ira A. Beck Lodge from Battle Creek took home the trophy in 2022, raising $4,496 throughout the campaign.
"The Golden Kettle competition returns (this year)," Roinila said. "More groups have already expressed interest in ringing bells and competing for the award. Some service clubs have already booked shifts at local sites and are eager to start the competition. ... Expectations are high."
For more information, visit salvationarmy.org/battlecreek.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign kicks off Friday in Battle Creek
