The familiar sound of bells ringing took on a little extra meaning Friday as the Greenfield Salvation Army Corps participated in the national Red Kettle Challenge, a charity blitz to raise money to support families in need.
Greenfield’s branch participated at the Hadley Walmart Friday morning before heading out to Northampton’s Walmart from the afternoon into early evening. Money raised during the event will be used to provide new Christmas gifts to the community as well as fund support programs the Salvation Army offers like food services, helping with utility bills and providing shelter.
As of noon Friday, Greenfield Salvation Army Corps Lt. Paul Leslie said the fundraising effort was falling behind 2020’s campaign due to the brutal wind whipping throughout the morning.
“Hadley was a little bit slower,” Leslie said. “Unfortunately, a lot of folks — I honestly can’t blame them — generally just want to get into the store.”
The Greenfield Salvation Army raised “just over $37,000” in 2020 and Leslie said it is “about $4,000 behind” what had been raised at around noon last year.
Compounded with the freezing wind, Leslie said a lack of volunteers is also making it difficult for the Salvation Army to collect donations.
“It’s been more of a challenge to keep volunteers staffing our stands. Last year we had a limited number of stands,” Leslie said. “This year we have access to more stands, but we just don’t have enough volunteers.”
In 2020, the Salvation Army raised $500,000 across the country in four hours and has doubled the goal to $1 million this year. The organization estimates it will need to raise about $175 million, which is 50% more than what was raised through Red Kettles in 2020, to keep people in their homes during the holidays, according to a press release.
The Red Kettle Challenge also serves as a “friendly competition” between Salvation Army Corps across the country. The branch that raises the most money Friday will be spotlighted by the national leadership and a video will be produced about their chosen program. Leslie said if Greenfield were to win, he would choose the food service program to highlight because “it’s definitely the biggest service to the community.”
Leslie noted there are different regional challenges so the Greenfield branch doesn’t have to compete with Salvation Army branches in large cities across the country.
In Franklin County, Red Kettles can be found at Foster’s Supermarket, Stop & Shop, Baker Office Supply, the Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange and on the counter at Hillside Pizza in Bernardston.
While many people think about the Salvation Army around the holidays, Leslie said money raised in the Red Kettles funds programs throughout the year.
“A lot of times, folks think about us at Christmas with toys and food we provide,” Leslie said. “This money helps us to provide services throughout the whole year, when folks are in need of utility assistance and things of that nature. … It helps us to do a portion of what needs to be provided for the community.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.