SUMMER KETTLE CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN WITH ONLY 18% OF SHIFTS FILLED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Kaitlyn Novotny
Special Events & Marketing Asst.
608-250-2240
SUMMER KETTLE CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN WITH ONLY 18% OF SHIFTS FILLED
The annual summer kettle campaign helps to alleviate the stress of homelessness, hunger, and poverty for Dane County families
MADISON, WI July 9, 2018 -- The need for donations during the summer comes as a surprise to many, but to The Salvation Army of Dane County, it is a striking reality. New services such as the Diversion Program keeping families out of shelter altogether, and the rising usage of the food pantry have nearly tripled the number of clients being helped, but have also created an impressive financial need.
Hunger, homelessness, and poverty do not take the summer off. The number of evictions in Dane County spikes during June, July, and August, as well as child hunger. Legally, landlords cannot evict tenants in the winter, but once the weather warms what few bags a family may have are packed. Schools provide meals during the academic year. When school’s out? Not so much. In southern Wisconsin 1 in 5 children face hunger; 65% of families eat expired foods due to lack of services. It is for these reasons, among others, the summer need is a reality that must be met with creative solutions.
In order to alleviate these stresses, The Salvation Army of Dane County launches the annual Summer Kettle Campaign on Saturday, July 14 with stations at 27 locations across Dane County. Locations include grocery stores: Bill’s Food Center, Hy-Vee, Metcalfe’s, Miller & Sons, Metro Market, Pick N Save, Piggly Wiggly, and Woodman’s, as well as two Walgreen’s locations.
“Simply having someone at the kettle [as opposed to an empty kettle stand] makes a huge difference in the amount of support we get and the good we can do,” said Steve Heck, Director of Operations. “Picking up a single shift can bring in about $100 for programs right here in Dane County.”
The Summer Kettle Campaign runs from July 14 through the 28. Roughly 82% of shifts are open and available between 8 am and 6 PM. For more information, visit salvationarmydanecounty.org or ringbells.org to sign up. Shifts may be scheduled over the phone by calling 608-250-2283.
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How To Help:
Ring Bells: Sign up at ringbells.org or call (608) 250-2283 to sign up. One shift makes a difference!
Donate via:
-Text DANE to 41444 to donate with a smart phone
-Online at SalvationArmyDaneCounty.org
-Mail a check to 3030 Darbo Drive Madison, WI 53714
Adopt-A-Kettle: Sign up your business or organization to adopt a kettle for one whole day and see how much you can raise.
Host a DipJar: Plug in a digital credit/debit card donation device at your fundraising event or gathering. Call 250-2240 for more information.
Learn more about what we do: Those who see the work done through The Army first hand have a better understanding of how we operate.
-Visit SalvationArmyDaneCounty.org to walk-through our programs and services online
-Schedule a tour of our facilities (Shelter or Community Center) by calling 250-2240
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been serving in Dane County for over 126 years. Those in need receive assistance through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, outreach to the elderly, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. 92 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.