Salvation Army faces more need, fundraising challenges as Red Kettle season nears

The covid-19 pandemic is presenting a challenge to the Salvation Army and its iconic Red Kettle campaign.

“We’re kind of up against needing to raise more money but it’s also harder to raise money with everything that’s going on,” said Lt. Alex Senak with the Allegheny Valley Salvation Army in Brackenridge.

The Brackenridge group hopes to get a good start to its fundraising season with its second annual Red Kettle Race on Nov. 14. The race, held for the first time last year, includes a 5K run and walk and a 1-mile fun run for kids.

About 60 runners participated last year, raising $3,800. Senak isn’t sure what to expect this year.

The goal for the group’s kettle campaign is $110,000.

“We don’t know if people will be more willing to participate or less,” Senak said. “This fundraiser doing well would give us a kick-off. If we did well, that would help us help more people.”

Registration by Friday costs $15 for the fun run and $20 for the 5K, with those who register guaranteed to receive a shirt, Senak said. Registration starting at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event is $5 more.

The fun run starts at 8:30 a.m. and is followed by the 5K at 9 a.m. Like last year, there will be a pancake breakfast after the race, but it will be served in to-go containers outside because of the pandemic.

“It will be safe, and it will be fun,” Senak said.

Can’t rely on kettles

Events like the 5K are among the creative alternatives Salvation Army units are using to raise money so they don’t have to rely only on the kettles, said Maj. Philip Lloyd, Allegheny County coordinator for the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania. Headquartered in Carnegie, the division covers 28 Western Pennsylvania counties.

But the kettle campaign will happen this year, as it has since 1891, and the organization remains optimistic.

“The community has always come around us,” Lloyd said. “They know the work we do. The support has just been incredible.”

The Western Pennsylvania Division raised just over $2.4 million through its Red Kettle campaign last season, exceeding a $2.3 million goal, Lloyd said.

“Most of those funds are raised through those small donations in the kettles,” Lloyd said. “It’s amazing the community has given us that much through pocket change.”

This year’s goal is again $2.3 million, with a $521,000 goal set in Allegheny County.

“It’s going to be a challenge this year,” Lloyd said. “We’re not sure what kind of foot traffic there is going to be at the retail outlets. We’re still going to be out there at as many locations that will have us.”

Lloyd could not say how many kettle locations there will be this year. The Salvation Army has been working to secure them since mid-summer, and has national agreements with retailers such as Walmart and Walgreens.

The Allegheny Valley group usually has 22 kettles at 14 locations, Senak said. He didn’t know how many there would be this year.

“There’s restrictions on everything,” he said. “We’ll still be out there doing our best to raise funds to help the members of this community.”

Volunteers needed

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to staff the kettles. Lloyd said those interested in volunteering should contact their local Salvation Army, or can contact the headquarters office in Carnegie.

“Some people may be anxious about coming out and doing that,” Lloyd said. “We’re going to be as careful as we can. We’re going to follow every protocol to keep the public safe and our bell ringers safe as well.”