THUNDER BAY — Gary Ferguson is confident the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign will hit its ambitious $260,000 target.
The money, he added, is crucial for the organization to continue doing what they do, helping house the homeless and feed hundreds more who might go without a healthy meal.
“It is an ambitious goal, but the community has always supported us in the work that we’ve done,” Ferguson said on Thursday, launching this year’s campaign, which wraps up on Dec. 23.
“I’m very confident we’ll be able to meet that goal or come very close.”
It’s the Salvation Army’s biggest campaign of the year, Ferguson added, noting the money helps fund year-round programming that is helping to make an impact on some of the city’s biggest social problems.
“The money that we raise in this campaign will be used 365 days a year, helping individuals. Some of it will go to transitional housing, supportive housing, shelter. It goes toward our food bank. And we also use it for our soup van, which many people see out in the community,” Ferguson said.
Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff said organizations like the Salvation Army are key to helping combat some of the biggest issues facing the city, including homelessness and poverty.
“This is the new front line,” Boshcoff said. “People who really need help, need help in situations that most of society isn’t familiar with — where you’re freezing cold, you’re really hungry, you have some problem with intoxicants of some form and just a place to rest your head becomes a fundamental human search.”
Kettles will be out at businesses throughout the community, including local Walmart stores, Intercity Shopping Centre, the Real Canadian Superstore, Grandview Mall and, starting on Dec. 1, LCBO locations on Arthur Street, Dawson Road and the Thunder Centre.
No donation is too big or too small, Ferguson said.
“If somebody says they only have 25 cents, 25 cents will buy a cup of soup that I’m able to give somebody in the soup van,” Ferguson said. “So, every dime, every quarter, every nickel, every dollar counts."
Kettle locations will once again be equipped with tap devices, allowing those who don’t normally carry cash to make donations of $5, $10 and $20, and new this year are table-top tap devices that will collect $5 donations with the tap of a bank card.
They’ll be located at Thunder Bay A&W locations, select Circle K stores and both Beefcakes Burger Factory restaurants.
Ferguson said the Salvation Army is still looking for kettle volunteers. Anyone interested can phone 807-345-6492.
