The Salvation Army of Kent County’s “Give Once; Bless Twice” initiative returns this year and will provide a match totaling $130,000 for all donations on Dec. 22-24. The matching challenge gift is being provided by community leaders, private donors and members of The Salvation Army’s Grand Rapids Advisory Board. Donations of any amount that are given to a physical or virtual red kettle, as well as those gifted online, over the phone or in the mail will be equaled dollar for dollar during the three-day stretch.
With the need greater than ever, The Salvation Army is continuing its mission to Rescue Christmas for the most vulnerable this year. Contributions from Dec. 22-24 will go toward helping The Salvation Army of Kent County reach its 2020 Red Kettle Campaign goal of $1.3 million. Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign are used to fund local programs provided at Christmas and throughout the year.
The Salvation Army has achieved 55% of its goal to date while experiencing a substantial increase in requests for services, a trend that is projected to remain in 2021. Compared to last year, consider: the need for Christmas assistance in Kent County has more than doubled with 2,250 families receiving aid in 2020; 30% of those requesting Christmas assistance are seeking help from The Salvation Army for the first time in their lives – in a “normal” year, The Salvation Army anticipates that number to be near 10%; and requests overall for services this year has risen by 55% and could finish as high as 75%.
“The Kent County and Western Michigan community is extremely generous when it comes to helping neighbors in need,” said Major Glen Caddy, Divisional Commander. “We are immensely grateful to these donors who have stepped forward to encourage others to give this year. The value of donations of any size will have double the impact during these days. Thank you for considering what you can do to help.”
Financial gifts to The Salvation Army can be made in any of the following ways:
- Visit one of the nearly 40 physical red kettles stationed at establishments throughout Kent County. Every kettle comes equipped with Kettle Pay, allowing donors to make a contactless donation via Google Pay or Apple Pay. Cash and coins are always accepted. Physical kettles will be out until 4 p.m. Christmas Eve;
- Visit a virtual red kettle at http://salarmy.us/kentkettle;
- Online at SAKentCounty.org;
- Call (616) 459-3433 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY;
- Mail a check directly to The Salvation Army, 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.
