The Salvation Army Love Beyond Christmas Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off, November 10, 2023
The Salvation Army Traverse City
“Love Beyond' Red Kettle Campaign Kicks off Friday, November 10, 2023
TRAVERSE CITY, MI (November 7, 2023): The Salvation Army of Traverse City kicks off its annual Red Kettle campaign on Friday, November 10 at Tom’s Food Market West Bay at 9 AM. All funds raised will support critical Salvation Army programs that help make Christmas Bright for vulnerable community members during the holidays and beyond.
The Red Kettle Campaign goal is $240,000. All proceeds raised stay local to provide Christmas gifts and holiday food baskets, health and nutrition through the Community Meals, Free food market and food pantry, safe warm shelter, utility, and emergency financial assistance as well as youth and family strengthening programs to those who are struggling to make ends meet and so much more.
“We continue to see a dramatic increase in the number of individuals and families who are facing hardships. From working families to senior citizens economic challenges are threatening their health, housing, safety, livelihood, and emotional well-being.
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The “Love Beyond,” theme summarizes The Salvation Army’s core value of spreading hope, love, and faith. We invite the community to join us this holiday season to love our neighbors beyond despair and loneliness, cold nights, overdue bills and skipped meals. The Salvation Army is committed to providing for the physical, emotional, and spiritual care of our neighbors, not just during the Christmas season but 365 days a year.” said Envoy Greg Irwin.
“As we have seen requests for basic and critical needs rise over 100% this year - it has challenged us as an organization to meet the needs. The Red Kettle Campaign and holiday giving are critical for us to be able to answer the call for help not just during the Christmas season but throughout the year ahead. While requests for assistance are up we are also feeling the financial impact of increased food prices to provide community meals, keeping the food pantry stocked as well as increased operational costs.
Volunteer, Bell Ringers are the heart of the Red Kettle campaign! The joy and the love for others they spread is priceless and the true meaning of the Christmas season! A Red Kettle with no Bell Ringer remains pretty empty while a Red Kettle with a Bell Ringer raises significant critical funds that impact many lives! Registering to ring
brings not only the gift of help when it is needed most - but also the priceless gifts of hope and dignity.
If you or someone you know needs assistance please reach out. If you can help please reach within and come alongside us to make Christmas bright and bring hope in 2024. Some gifts don’t come wrapped in packages with ribbons and bows. Some gifts are needs – like food and shelter and those can be the most precious of all.” Envoy Greg Irwin added.
The iconic Red Kettles will be out from November 10 through December 23 at 14 business locations throughout Grand Traverse with bell ringers spreading joy and collecting critical donations, Monday – Saturday.
Visit SATraverseCity for Salvation Army programs and holiday assistance information, as well as Christmas opportunities for Volunteer Bell Ringing, Virtual Kettles, Event Sponsorship, Christmas Wishes, and a host of other ways you, your family, your group, or your business can get involved.
Thank you to Gold Kettle supporter, Bill Marsh Buick GMC for their support of the Red Kettle campaign.
Ways to help this holiday season:
Register online to Bell Ring at RegistertoRing.com to volunteer to bell ring
Donate digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo at any red kettle
Provide new toys through the Walmart Angel Tree or by donating to Toys for Tots
Adopt a Teen through the Teen Angel program
Visit SATraversecity.org to find ways to help and make Christmas Bright
The Salvation Army Holiday programs include:
Toys and Gifts for Children (Newborn to 17)
Thanksgiving or Christmas Food Baskets
Thanksgiving Community Meal
Christmas Community Meal
Holiday Assistance Registration is underway now – December 6: Visit The Salvation Army Traverse City Facebook or SATraverseCity.org for in-person and online registration and guidelines.
Thanksgiving Community Meal will be served Wednesday, November 22 from 11:30 am-2 pm
Thanksgiving meals will be served Dine-in or To-go at The Salvation Army Community Center, 1239 Barlow St. Traverse City.
Christmas Community Meal will be served Friday, December 22 from 11:30 am – 2 pm
Christmas meals will be served Dine-in or To-go at The Salvation Army Community Center, 1239 Barlow St. Traverse City.
For more information on how you can join Love’s Army this holiday season visit SATraverseCity.org or The Salvation Army Traverse City Facebook page or call 231.946.4644.
About the Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army has been motivated by the love of God internationally for over 150 years. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For 129 years, The Salvation Army Traverse City Corps has opened its doors to spread the gospel and provide basic social services targeted at taking care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our hungry, homeless, and struggling community neighbors. SAtraversecity.org
Contact:
Ruth Blick
Director of Community Resource Development
Office: 231.946.4644 ext. 308
Cell: 231.649.2752
Envoy Greg Irwin
Corps Officer/Pastor
Office: 231.946.4644 ext. 302
Cell: 231.330.8220