125th year for Salvation Army kettles

“I had to make them at home because they were doing the construction here”, she said.

Revenues from the kettles and the letter appeal will be used to fund the Salvation Army’s programs at Christmas and throughout next year.

The organization’s Christmas food distribution will be held on December 14, and volunteers for that event are asked to arrive at the Salvation Army office in Bradford about 10 a.m. that day.

So this year, money raised by the Salvation Army is providing $12,500 for 236 Thanksgiving baskets full of everything they’ll need to complete the holiday.

This year, the need was even more than anticipated.

They bring comfort to their neighbors who may not have an opportunity to share a Thanksgiving meal with others.

From the moment a volunteer arrives to pick up their meal, they are in-and-out of the KROC Center within 15 minutes.

“We’re looking for those friendly challenges – just to get people to help us with this”, Bartosh said.

“To help feed the homeless on Thanksgiving through the Salvation Army is going to be a great thing, and I’m honestly excited”, he said.

“Thank you, that’s all I can say”, he said.

Major Bradshaw said: “We have had an increase in agencies working with us which will add to the increase in children referred to us”.

At the Salvation Army, 35 volunteers made enough food for 200 people to enjoy a hot meal.

He said scheduling is easier when people are able to work at least two-hour shifts. They’ll stay out until 2 p.m. Christmas Eve, and the goal is to have them raise $75,000 in that time.

Also on Tuesday, the agency began distributing more than 300 food baskets for Thanksgiving. If you’d like to volunteer or donate, call the Salvation Army at 477-9878.