From now until Christmas Eve the Salvation Army in Prince George will be focused on 16 kettles they pray will brim over with funds to help less fortunate residents have food on the table during the long winter ahead.
The Christmas kettles are scattered in 16 locations throughout the city in a bid to raise $250,000 by Christmas Eve.
Recently Jenn Schultz, administrative assistant, told The Citizen "the need is greater than ever and the number of hungry is many."
The records show the army that fights poverty is seeing an average of 6,000 people. About 37 per cent are child food bank clients and 22 per cent are in the elderly population.
"We have a 40-per-cent increase in numbers of residents who've never before had to use a food bank," said Schultz, who attributes the increase to loss of jobs, layoffs, working poor, and retired people on fixed incomes.
During the official launch of the campaign Nov. 15, Wayne Wood, the new kettle co-ordinator, said there's a large need for volunteers to ring the bells.
We need 500 to 600 volunteers, and that's with the average volunteer giving six hours or three two-hour shifts.
"Consider that we have 16 locations with kettles that require manning for 10 hours a day. It requires a huge team of volunteers and a lot of phone calls.
He said the first week of Nov. 15 is important to do well since it's an earlier start that is hoped to bring in the extra funds needed this year.
"We're fortunate to have people and groups in Prince George like Rotary clubs and the Prince George Real Estate whose members usually take a day to help out," Wood said.
"One man is booked in to man the kettle at Costco all day for five days in a row," said Wood who will keep the community updated on the progress being made.
Last year the goal to raise $232,000 was exceeded with a final total of $252,000.
Anyone who can spare some time to man a kettle can call Salvation Army at 250-564-4000 Loc. 224.
