THUNDER BAY — The Salvation Army set a record-high target when it launched this year's Christmas Kettle campaign in Thunder Bay.
The campaign got off to a strong start but as of Monday it was still about $81,000 short of the $260,000 goal.
One way officials hope to reach it by Christmas Eve is by encouraging community members to volunteer to accept donations at the familiar plastic kettles.
Community engagement manager Gail Kromm said although hundreds of volunteers have already pitched in, there are a number of unfilled shifts this week at all the Christmas Kettle locations.
"There definitely have been challenges in terms of volunteers getting sick, so we've had to have some replacements at the last minute, including some super-heroes who've done a lot of filling in," Kromm said in an interview Tuesday.
"We could use the help, because when the kettles are not staffed we don't get donations."
Anyone available to take on a shift is invited to call (807) 345-6492 to make arrangements.
Donors are reminded that that the "tap to give" donation option is available at all locations. The machines are pre-set at $5, $10 and $20 donation levels, but donors may tap up to 10 times to a maximum of $250.
According to the Salvation Army, almost 10 per cent of donations are being made this way.
Money raised in the kettle campaign goes toward not only meeting the needs of clients at Christmas but in the coming year as well.
The Salvation Army emergency shelter for the homeless is operating at capacity, while the transitional housing program that helps people develop skills to live independently is nearly at capacity.
Up to 240 people per night obtain a meal from the soup van, 50 school breakfasts are served daily, and about 75 food hampers are distributed each week to needy families and individuals.
"In these challenging times, more people are turning to the services we offer. The rising costs are making it difficult for them to meet their basic needs," said Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre.
