Annual Red Kettle Campaign begins

The season of giving is has arrived, and the familiar sound of bell ringing for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign has begun. The campaign kicked off in late November at select locations.

Salvation Army bell ringers are as much a part of the season as caroling and last-minute shopping.

The Salvation Army has expresssed  hope that this Christmas season the many that are in need in our community will not be forgotten for emergency assistance, food and shelter.

Volunteers are still needed for bell ringing.

Maj. Tom McDowell, corps officer at the Topeka Salvation Army, says people can support the organization by signing up to ring bells during the holiday season.

“We always begin the Friday before Thanksgiving,” McDowell says, “We still depend on the public to help us with that. We’d love to see a number of bell-ringers sign up.”

The iconic Red Kettle campaign has increased options for people to donate via smartphone. This year, donors can utilize PayPal and Venmo along with Apple Pay and Google Pay to make their donations. For online shoppers, the Topeka Virtual Kettle is available 24 hours a day at: DonateTopeka.com.

Individuals/groups looking to ring at Red Kettle can sign up at RegistertoRing.com. For all other volunteer opportunities at the Topeka Salvation Army location, call 785-233-9648.

The money raised stays local.  It provides food boxes and toys for registered families through the Angel Tree Program that assists folks in need.  It also provides funding for assistance year-round through social service programs, including emergency assistance in rent/utilities, food pantry, and the meals.

READ: Renaissance Festival returns to Topeka with All Hallows theme

McDowell says needs have increased lately with the government shutdown and with the curtailment of SNAP benefits.

“Every day for the past two weeks, we’ve seen about 40 to 50 percent more people in our food pantry and that’s of course a very significant increase,” McDowell said, “and we would ask for the public’s help as we strive to respond to that need.

-Lee Hartman | Metro Voice

Go here to visit the Topeka Metro Voice Facebook page for local event notices, breaking news and local announcements. To help us spread the word, and to continue seeing our posts on your Facebook feed, “Like” the page and then like or share a story now and then, so that they will keep showing up in your feed.

Can You Help?

As churches, ministries and businesses schedule public events and outreach, don’t forget the advertising opportunities that the Topeka Metro Voice offers, both in print and digital. For 19 years, Topeka Metro Voice has been a leader in community and faith-based news. We have historically relied on advertising for survival to fund the mission of our publication and sharing the Good News, as well as supporting local small businesses and community events. We are now seeking partners who want to support our publication and our mission of faith-based journalism and supporting the community and local small businesses. We are saddened when we learn that a Christian organization or business has a big event, but doesn’t use Metro Voice to help promote it. They don’t realize that in addition to providing them with a service of economically connecting them with our readers, they are also supporting Christian journalism efforts in our community. We don’t charge a lot – even $25 can get you a small ad, and only $10 per month will get a church listed in our directory. Not to mention, we are very effective at reaching the folks with information about your events and organizations! Remind your church, ministry, or business advertising decision-maker to consider us as a partner, and let’s support each other!

Do you like what you read here? Help us continue our mission by supporting the Topeka Metro Voice in print and online for as little as $5. Every contribution counts, big or small. We sincerely thank you for your continued support and encouragement in these critical times.