The Salvation Army In Desperate Need Of Bell Ringers

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — The Salvation Army put out a call Thursday for volunteers willing to serve as bell ringers to help rescue Christmas. The Red Kettle Campaign is the nonprofit's biggest annual fundraiser but all over Northern California, The Salvation Army says is seeing fewer people sign up to ring its iconic red kettles this holiday season.

With just a few weeks left until Christmas, The Salvation Army is sounding the alarm.

"The Salvation Army is in desperate need of bell ringers to man the kettles and collect donations that fund crucial community programs all year long," said Samantha Jarosz, a spokesperson for The Salvation Army in Northern California. "This funding has never been more crucial. The need is greater than we’ve seen in recent history due to the pandemic."

In Redding, for example, the nonprofit is down 75 percent in bell ringer signups. They are only able to put out about three kettles per day, when in a typical holiday season, they’d have 20 out every day collecting donations, Jarosz said.

"This could have a huge impact on programs to help people in need in 2021," she said.

Last year, the Red Kettle Campaign brought in more than $2 million in Northern California. The money is used to fund programs that help feed the hungry, house the homeless, keep families in their homes by helping them with rent and utility assistance, addiction rehabilitation, after school programs, and more.

This year, The Salvation Army is seeing an incredible increase in need due to the pandemic, Jarosz said. In Sacramento County, for example, the demand for assistance is up 220 percent.

For community members considering volunteering, The Salvation Army said it has put measures in place to keep bell ringers and donors safe from the coronavirus. All bell ringers are required to wear a mask at all times, they must maintain social distancing between themselves and donors, and they are required to sanitize the red kettle. Donors can also make a donation without dropping cash, change or checks into the kettle; each kettle stand is equipped with Apple and Google pay, along with a QR code, allowing people to make a contactless donation right from their smart phone.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, go to BeABellRinger.org.

Those who are unable to give their time can choose a community to support financially at VirtualRedKettle.org.