Inflation, increased need impacting Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Red Kettle Campaign, now in its 131st year, is struggling to meet fundraising targets.

Donations to the Red Kettle campaign throughout the Del Oro Division are down 19 percent compared to last year. This trend is being seen across the country, but specifically throughout California. The organization is facing a spike in demand for services because of the combination of rising costs and lingering pandemic-related poverty.

Meeting increased need becomes more of a challenge every year due to consumers carrying less cash, the closure of many brick-and-mortar retail stores where the Army would traditionally stand kettles, more online shopping – which means less foot traffic in shopping areas – and the effect of inflation.

Interested donors can donate in several contactless ways by visiting www.VirtualRedKettle.org, signing up online at www.deloro.salvationarmy.org to give a sustaining monthly gift of $25, giving through the Kettle Pay system using Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Venmo, using Amazon Alexa by saying, “Alexa, donate to The Salvation Army,” specifying the amount, or by sending a check to a local Salvation Army Corps.

For information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.