KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The Salvation Army of Kent County surpassed its $1.3 million Red Kettle campaign goal for the season, according to a news release Wednesday.
More than double the number of families typically served at Christmastime received help from the Salvation Army in Kent County last year – and nearly 30,000 people were served throughout the entire year.
“In times of great need and even greater uncertainty we are immeasurably grateful to Kent County and the West Michigan community for their generous support,” said Major Glen Caddy, divisional commander for the Salvation Army of Western Michigan and Northern Indiana. “Because you helped, we will be able to help our neighbors in need.”
At the outset of the season’s Red Kettle campaign, the Salvation Army was concerned that fundraising could drop by as much as 50% due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign publicly kicked off Nov. 13 with the start of bell ringing and concluded at the end of January.
Money raised from the Red Kettle Campaign is used to fund programs provided at Christmas and throughout the year, including those that provide emergency food assistance, offer housing resources and energy bill assistance, assist those struggling with substance use disorder, provide programs that impact people of all ages at the Kroc Center and Fulton Heights Corps, and support disaster victims during times of catastrophe.
