Salvation Army hopes to overcome 'lost' week of Red Kettle fundraising

The Salvation Army says it is losing a week of Red Kettle fundraising as a result of the late Thanksgiving holiday.

“That one week will affect our fundraising abilities since most of our locations don’t start until (Nov.) 29th,” said Lt. Cheyenne Martinez, assistant corps officer of the Greensburg Salvation Army.

To make up for lost time, the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division will place the familiar red kettles at Giant Eagle stores starting Monday, said spokeswoman Ava Henderson.

The rest of the kettles will be put out on Black Friday and will stay out through Christmas Eve.

Greensburg got an early start by placing a red kettle at the Westmoreland Mall J.C. Penney on Nov. 4 and at Big Lots on Nov. 15, Martinez said. In total, about 14 kettles will be manned at eight or nine stores, including Walmart, Walgreens and Save a Lot.

The Greensburg Salvation Army still is looking for volunteers, Martinez said.

The Salvation Army also is giving people the option to donate by using their smartphone. Smart chips and QR codes will be placed on all Red Kettle signs, allowing shoppers to “bump” or scan their phones to make a digital donation.

Shoppers will be directed to a custom donation page that accepts Apple Pay or Google Pay. The funds will then be distributed to local Salvation Army units based on the donor’s billing ZIP code, and an email receipt will be sent directly to their phone.

“With a short Christmas season this year, we are hoping the new Kettle Pay technology and additional volunteer efforts will help us achieve our goal this year,” said Maj. Raphael Jackson, commander of the Western Pennsylvania Division. “The money raised during the holidays pays for programs and services that assist those in need throughout the entire year.“

The fundraising goal is $2.4 million for the Western Pennsylvania Division and $647,000 for Allegheny County by Christmas Day. The goal for the Greensburg Corps is $90,000.

To volunteer at one of the Greensburg sites, call Martinez at 724-834-3335, ext. 100, or email her at: Ashley.Luzader@USE.SalvationArmy.org.