This year, the Walmart Foundation also made a $1 million donation to The
Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. The donation will be split among
the four Salvation Army Territories and support feeding programs,
including meal programs for youths. Last year, The Salvation Army served
nearly 58 million meals to children and adults in need.
Notably, 81 percent of Salvation Army programs saw an increase in need among families with children due to the recession in 2011, according to “Growing Up in a Downturn,” a Salvation Army report from earlier this year. The report also found that 56 percent of Salvation Army youth programs were operating at or beyond capacity, which includes feeding, education, athletic, artistic and religious programs. As a result of the recession’s lingering impact, The Salvation Army expects the need to continue this Christmas season.
“For the past several years, there has been a growing need in America, and social service organizations like The Salvation Army have seen this demand first hand,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “The ‘Fill the Truck’ event with Walmart will help The Salvation Army meet that need this Christmas, and provide something special to children in need.”
From its humble origin as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2011, the campaign raised more than $147.6 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, credit cards (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to 30 million Americans in need.
Notably, 81 percent of Salvation Army programs saw an increase in need among families with children due to the recession in 2011, according to “Growing Up in a Downturn,” a Salvation Army report from earlier this year. The report also found that 56 percent of Salvation Army youth programs were operating at or beyond capacity, which includes feeding, education, athletic, artistic and religious programs. As a result of the recession’s lingering impact, The Salvation Army expects the need to continue this Christmas season.
“For the past several years, there has been a growing need in America, and social service organizations like The Salvation Army have seen this demand first hand,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “The ‘Fill the Truck’ event with Walmart will help The Salvation Army meet that need this Christmas, and provide something special to children in need.”
From its humble origin as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2011, the campaign raised more than $147.6 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, credit cards (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to 30 million Americans in need.
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