With its band playing Christmas carols, the Salvation Army launched its 2022 Kettle Campaign Monday at Quinte Mall.
Kettles will be set up at 15 locations around Belleville through December 24.
This year’s goal is $315,000.
Just over $290,000 was raised last year.
The Salvation Army’s Community and Family Services Director Rebekah Leach stresses that all the money raised locally stays here and is used for community programs.
“We have a Sally Ann Supper Program where we average 175 meals a night, five nights a week. We have our secondary food bank which offers food assistance and counselling services for Family Services. Pathway of Hope program which is a goal oriented program that offers people assistance to reach life-changing goals. A street nurse program and our Coats for Folks program this year.”
Mayor Neil Ellis and councillors Garnet Stephenson, Tyler Allsopp and Lisa Anne Chatten were on hand to make some of the first donations.
Referring to the campaign goal, Mayor Ellis says, “As a community, we can do this together.”
Volunteers are also needed to man the kettles.
Leach says shifts are two hours long.
To volunteer call the Salvation Army office at 613-968-6834 and ask for Amanda or text 613-243-6447.
