In 2011, the Prince Rupert Salvation Army once again helped support families living in need during the holiday season by putting on the Kettle Campaign and Christmas Hamper Program.
Captain Gary Sheils told the Prince Rupert Northern View late last week that the kettle campaign donations were sitting at $134,578, with approximately 150 people volunteering to collect funds. Last year around $144,000 was raised, but according to Sheils this year’s contributions are not over yet.
“Donations are still coming in,” said Sheils, mentioning that donations will most likely be coming in until the end of the month.
Each year money raised through the Kettle Campaign goes towards the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper Program. This program provides toys and a stocking for children ages 12 and under, a toy for children twelve to eighteen and a food gift card to help ensure Christmas is a happy time for families in need of assistance.
According to Sheils, preliminary figures show that 842 families - about 1,600 adults and 1,050 children - used the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Program in 2011.
Sheils says these numbers are around the same as last years’.
The Salvation Army collects items for the Christmas Hamper through the Prince Rupert Harley Riders Club annual Toy Run and through general donations.
The Kettle Campaign also helps raise funds for other Salvation Army services such as the food bank, that 800 to 900 people utilize each month and the soup kitchen.