Volunteers from the Savation Army stand outside the entrance to Walmart with a pair of donkeys to raise money for the Christmas Kettle Campaign last year. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Christmas Kettles

Christmas Kettle campaign sets $100,000 goal as meal uptake soars

Nov 20, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Some days, the Prince Albert Salvation Army is handing out up to 250 meals per day which is more triple what they were handing out one year ago.

In order to help pay for that, this year’s Christmas Kettle campaign has a fundraising goal of $100,000, said Major Ed Dean.

“Our meal programs have drastically increased over the last year and a half so we have a lofty goal,” said Dean.

A year and a half ago, the army provided 60 meals a day, three days per week. They now are giving out up to 250 meals five days per week.

The kettle campaign is their major fundraising method to pay for the meals and that is using all volunteer labour to prepare and hand out the food.

Ignite Your Community's Health: Transformative Strategies for Advocacy

2h ago

Meath Park Ukrainian Dance Club is Having a Fundraiser

2h ago

Car accident

Sunday morning collision causes delays in West Hill

23h ago

“All of the funds we raise are going directly to the cost of programming. We are not paying staff. Even the preacher is helping to do the cooking and helping to serve,” Dean said.

Some local churches are helping out with some of the meals, for which they are grateful.

The first kettle was out last week and the rest will be put out this week, but as Dean explained, they are much more effective if there is a volunteer working at the kettle.

In one hour, a kettle with a person beside will get the same number of donations as a kettle standing by itself for 10 hours.

They can be found at Safeway, Wholesale, Co-op, superstore, Walmart and Save-on Foods.

Since last year, the group has re-focused its efforts by closing the retail portion of its location. They still give out clothing to people who need though and will take seasonal donations of coats and boots but no longer take furniture or household items.

They are also planning to make some physical changes in the building to add a dining room and change the kitchen away from the current galley style.

They need a walk-in fridge and freezer in order to take larger donations, such as a recent pallet load of vegetables from the PAGC.

The dining area is important, Dean explained.

“The Salvation Army’s plan has never been to serve 200 meals per day outside because at -45 C, believe it or not, a bowl of soup freezes very quickly,” he said.

It is also their policy to give people dignity.

“We serve without discrimination. It doesn’t matter who you are; if you’re in the line, you’re getting a meal. So we would really like to be able to say you know what, come on in and have that meal,” he said.

They serve between 11 a.m. to noon daily and that means one meal going out the door every 11 seconds.

That is not good for a larger plan of finding ways to get people the help they need to leave the streets as the volunteers need to be able to connect with the patrons.

“That is not who we as an organization are. We would really like to be able to say, you know what I know who you are, I know what your needs are, here’s a referral to some of those other resources that are needed,” Dean explained.

Families that are having a hard time finding a toy for children for Christmas can apply to the Christmas Toy Warehouse, which is located in the old store space.

Last year, the group raised $80,000 so this year’s goal is a 20 per cent increase.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com