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Salvation Army increases its goal for Red Kettle campaign

By Wordpress Admin User Nov 13, 2015 | 3:21 PM

The Salvation Army kicks off its annual Red Kettle campaign with Captain Paul James and honorary co-chairs Bill Flick of the Pantagraph and Joe Strupek of State Farm (center). (Joe Ragusa/WJBC)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The red kettles are back.

The Salvation Army of McLean County kicked off its annual Red Kettle campaign Friday. The goal is to raise $230,000 this year, up $10,000 from last year.

“It feeds individuals that come through the food pantry, (the donations) make that possible,” Captain Paul James said. “This past year, we had over 2,500 households with food pantry orders. We sheltered over 500 homeless men and women and served over 50,000 meals at the safe harbor.”

James said grocery stores around Bloomington-Normal are participating. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Salvation Army should go online to www.RingBells.org or call 309-829-9476.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.