Salvation Army kicks off Red Kettle campaign, hopes to address 'overwhelming' need in Chicago area

Bells will be ringing this holiday season as the Salvation Army kicks off its annual Red Kettle campaign with 400 donation buckets set up across the Chicago area.

Maj. K. Kendall Mathews stood beside a red bucket Friday morning and rang the ceremonial first bell, launching the call for donations.

"When you hear this sound, know that people will be served and helped throughout the Chicago area,” he said.

The Salvation Army hopes to raise $21 million this year in the Chicago area, most of which would come through this holiday campaign, and be used for year-round services such as food banks, after-school programming and shelters.

“I think the need this year is going to be overwhelming,” Mathews said. “We're seeing more people needing shelter. We're seeing more people needing to be housed. We're seeing more people just needing help.”

For those who do not carry cash, the Salvation Army offers digital donations, with QR codes attached to each red kettle.

This year, the Salvation Army will also test “tap to pay” options on 10 buckets across northern and central Illinois, where donors can give by simply tapping a credit card.

Suzanne Stallworth spotted Mathews ringing the bell Friday as she walked into Jewel Osco on the Northwest Side. She donated a handful of bills.

“I donate anytime they’re out,” Stallworth told the Sun-Times. “We have a lot of homeless people, we have a lot of people we need to help.”

The pandemic, followed by a period of high inflation, led to a sharp decrease in donations, according to the Salvation Army. Between 2020 and 2022, donations fell by $1 million each year.

In 2023, the Salvation Army successfully reached its fundraising goal of $18 million.

The Salvation Army is also looking for more volunteers to ring the bell and staff a donation bucket.

In 2023, about 400 volunteers gave 3,000 hours of service, spokesperson Brian Duewel said.

Salvation Army hopes to double those numbers this year.

“Just one hour of volunteering service contributes to … a meal and a half,” Mathews said. “Just one hour of ringing the bell goes a long way.”

“The mission of the Salvation Army has always been centered around helping people, bringing hope to people,” Mathews added. “What a great opportunity to do that during the holiday season."

Donations are also accepted at Give.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Those interested in volunteering can sign up at RegisterToRing.com.