THUNDER BAY – The Salvation Army soared past last year’s Christmas Kettle campaign goal, but isn’t taking anything for granted in 2017.
The organization, which provides shelter for homeless men and operates a nightly soup truck, among other community programs, has set a slightly less modest target this year, said Major Lori Mitchell at Thursday’s campaign launch at Intercity Shopping Centre.
“Last year our goal was $190,000 and we actually raised $220,000, so we did very well. But we didn’t want to overreach, so we’re setting our goal this year at $200,000,” Mitchell said.
“This money goes to support our community programs – our food bank, our soup van, our breakfast program for children and into new programming on the south side of the city, like the English Café and parents and tots programs.”
With plenty of choices open to the public to give their donation dollars, Mitchell said the Salvation Army plays an important role in the lives of hundreds of people in Thunder Bay, and has been doing so for more than a century.
“The Salvation Army has a longstanding reputation. We’ve been in Thunder Bay for about 125 years and I think our reputation speaks for itself. We work very hard in striving for excellence in our service. We treat people with respect and dignity and we really try to help make a difference in people lives,” Mitchell said.
This year’s campaign got an added boost from proceeds collected from popcorn sales at Canadian Tire, an initiative that has spread from Thunder Bay to other cities in Canada.
Michael Lemesani, the founder of Pops Kettle Corn, said they worked out a deal that saw $1 from the sale of each bag turned over to the Salvation Army, about $7,200 in total.
“Throughout my years of vending I saw people around me who couldn’t buy a bag of popcorn or anything like that. I said to (my wife), we’ve got to do something from our kettle to there. It always sat with me and always rang.”
The popcorn campaign is in its third year.
Salvation Army kettles can found at a variety of location around the city, including the mall, Superstore, all three Wal-Mart locations, the Kiwanis Tree Lot and Grandview Mall. Beginning on Dec. 1 kettles will also be located at LCBO’s on Arthur Street, Dawson Road and at the Thunder Centre.
Mitchell said volunteers are still needed.
Donations can also be made online at www.fillthekettle.com.
