Jamestown  (CSi)  Salvation Army Major Judy Lowder says the Kettle Campaign is dramatically down in donations and has thus far only raised 25 percent of the Christmas appeal goal.

Volunteers are needed to “Ring the Bell”.   To set up bell ringing opportunities, to make cash donations, or to volunteer please call 701-252-0290.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, she stressed the need for donations to support the work of the Salvation Army on a year-round basis, along with the need for bell ringers at kettle locations.

She pointed out that the Christmas Campaign funds 40% of the overall operation of the Salvation Army

All the money raised stays in the Jamestown Community and all of Stutsman County and is the only fundraising campaign of the year, and ends of December 24.

She said there’s a growing need for assistance, especially for food assistance.

Statistics show that there is an increase of at least 20 households a month of new people needing food that previously have never come to the Salvation Army for support.

There are between 130 to 150 households a month utilizing food pantry services

The Salvation Army works with the Great Plains Food Bank to get food that is free or low cost. Along with that, community donations help fill the shelves.

Those who get food assistance must fill out an application every 30 days.  The size of the household will determine how much food the family will receive. A typical food box includes vegetables, canned fruit, cereal, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce, pasta, canned meat, crackers, juice and frozen items or refrigerated items such as meat.

Other services provided by the Salvation Army in addition to the food pantry include:

  • Rent and utility assistance
  • Spiritual counseling
  • Vouchers for help through the Salvation Army’s thrift store and the Pathway of Hope program for families with children to help them get to a better place and more stable life.
  • All services are on a case-by-case basis, she said.
  • Christmas assistance such as the Angel Tree program where tags are placed on a Christmas Tree in the community. People take a tag, purchase items and take them to the Salvation Army for distribution.

The Jamestown Salvation Army continues to appeal to volunteers to ring bells

Other cash donations are also welcome.

For more information on the Jamestown Salvation Army, to set up bell ringing opportunities,  to make cash donations,  or to volunteer, please call 701-252-0290.

The Corps Headquarters in located on First Avenue North in Jamestown.  The Thrift Store is currently located on Business Loop West in Jamestown.