The Grande Prairie Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive has surpassed its $575,000 goal. In total, just more than $582,000 was brought in via the kettles and mail-in donations.
Captain Peter Kim says he is grateful to anyone that helped them get to this point.
“It feels amazing. I didn’t think we were going to hit our goal but I can always count on Grande Prairie to help meet the needs in our community.”
Over the past two years, local non-profit organizations have noticed an increase in people needing services, especially food. Kim says the Salvation Army food bank is experiencing the same thing.
“In 2020, we gave out 1,263 Christmas hampers. Looking at 2021, we have collected 1,798 Christmas hampers,” he explains. “Overall, we gave out more than 3,900 food hampers last year, and I’m expecting over 4,000 this year as our final totals come in. Without our giving community, we wouldn’t be able to meet those needs.”
The new tap donation option alone brought in $36,000 this year. Kim says next year they will make sure people are able to give through different platforms, possibly including via text message. Despite more people moving to online or convenient donation options, mail donations brought in the most of any method, with $280,000.
“I want to say thank you to our Grande Prairie community because without you we can’t do this,” Kim says.
