By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

community support

The Salvation Army Red Deer’s kettle campaign raises $217,000

Jan 12, 2022 | 1:56 PM

The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign raised $217,000 in Red Deer this holiday season, up from about $190,000 the year prior.

Across Alberta and the territories, the campaign raised just shy of $2.5 million, also up from $2.12 million a year ago.

Major Kent Hepditch, Salvation Army Red Deer, notes they always shoot high, with a goal of $250,000.

“Considering COVID and everything, it was a very succesful year,” says Hepditch. “There were some people who said they just couldn’t volunteer because of COVID, as well as some community groups who said the same, but for the most part, we were able to fill time-slots. Of course, if we’d had more volunteers, we could probably do more locations.”

The main fundraiser for the year, the kettle campaign funds Salvation Army programming year-round.

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That includes its school backpack program, which helps students experiencing at-home food scarcity. Currently, it benefits about 33 students at 20 schools with 1,700 meals weekly.

The Salvation Army also has a food bank, giving out nearly 250 food hampers from October to December 2021.

They often do clothing vouchers and give out diapers, as well as provide to some patients coming out of hospital who may need help. There’s also a bed program, where new beds are provided to clients experiencing that specific need.

Hepditch notes that of this year’s $217,000 raised, about $25,000 was through scanners on the kettles which allow donors to use their debit card.

“Red Deer has supported us for years and does so very well. We’re so grateful for all that support and we couldn’t do what we do without it, Hepditch says. “Thank you to everyone, and here’s to a great 2022 for everybody.”