It was a record-breaking year for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign in Grande Prairie. Over a five-week period, $504,298.17 was raised surpassing the groups goal of $500,000. Captain Peter Kim says this is the largest amount gathered since the Sally Anne started in the city 99 years ago.
“This is the best largest raise in the Salvation Army since 1919. It’s great that Grande Prairie is able to help the Salvation Army’s work.”
This year’s total beat last year’s final number of $473,000. All money raised will go towards the Salvation Army’s operating costs for 2019.
Kim says this year’s funding increase will also allow the group to purchase a food truck canteen. It will provide mobile meals to first responders and people staying at places like the Rotary House.
“With the increase in the goal we were able to now obtain a canteen to help first responders during disaster services as well as street feeding ministries.”
Plans for that are still in the works but Kim is hoping to have that up and running by April 2019. Also up from last year was the Christmas food hampers. Kim estimates that 650 to 700 were given out to Grande Prairie families in need.