Kettle kickoff

It hurts to hear there are children in Thunder Bay who go without a Christmas, said Maj. Mervyn Halvorsen.

"I hear so often on our soup van that parents are bringing out their children; I’m happy they’re able to do that and that we can help to give them some food to eat," said the Salvation Army’s executive director of social services. "But it’s said to hear there are still some children who go without food."

Halvorsen said for the holidays they also make sure gifts are given to families who come to the soup van to ensure they’re children have presents for Christmas morning.

Funding for the Salvation Army’s community and family services like the soup van program as well as their school breakfast programs, the food bank and annual Christmas dinner comes primarily from the organization’s Christmas Kettle Appeal.

Kicking off today, this year’s kettle campaign goal is $130,000; last year $142,000 was raised.

Like many organizations in the community, Halvorsen said the Salvation Army is seeing a rising need for its services.

Their food bank usage is up 22 per cent this year; soup van usage is up 20 per cent and their breakfast program has seen an increase of 106 per cent.

"We’re one of the organizations out there who are helping and I believe together we are making a difference in Thunder Bay," Halvorsen said.

The Christmas Kettle campaign began Thursday with the ninth annual celebrity kettle day. Local personalities from Jack Masters and Joe Vanderwees to Rick Lang and Gerald Graham were out manning the kettles.

But from now until the campaign’s end on Dec. 24, there is still a need for volunteers to lend a hand; without the volunteers, the Christmas Kettle campaign wouldn’t be possible, said Halvorsen.

"We’re so thankful to the community of Thunder Bay, the businesses, the different organizations, the service clubs who come and support us," he said, urging anyone with some spare time to call their office at 345-6491.

Donations can also be made online at www.fillthekettle.com, where the kettles will appear on Google Maps so people can donate to specific kettles in their community.