Salvation Army to launch Red Kettle Campaign Nov. 6 in Stevens Point

By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT — The Salvation Army of Portage County will kick off its annual Red Kettle Campaign on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Festival Foods, 1600 Academy Ave., in Stevens Point.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with live music performed by local high school students, a performance by cheerleaders to enhance the holiday spirit, and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by ambassadors from the Portage County Business Council. Bell ringing will start at 10 a.m.

“This holiday season, we want to be a beacon of hope for those who feel hopeless,” said Leigh Ann Trzinski, director of the Bread of Life Hope Center. “Inflation has made this a tough time for everyone, and the needs in our community have grown tremendously. I ask the community to consider becoming a Partner in Hope, so we can help brighten the future for everyone.”

The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser, supporting efforts like providing meals and shelter to people experiencing homelessness, community food pantries, and emergency rental assistance. In 2023, the organization provided more than 3,500 community meals, 21,000 meals for shelter residents, and 7,045 nights of safe shelter for those in need.

This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 6 to Dec. 24, with a higher fundraising goal due to inflation and the growing needs of the community. Residents can help by signing up to be a bell ringer at RegistertoRing.com, mailing donations, visiting the Hope Center at 1600 Briggs St., or texting “StevensPoint” to 24365 to donate.

Early sponsors for the 2024 campaign include Jay-Mar, Skyward, Feltz Dairy Store, and Pineries Bank.

So far in 2024, the Salvation Army has provided 5,545 nights of safe sleep and served 16,630 meals to shelter residents, in addition to 4,220 takeout meals for the broader community. Statistics show that 47% of those helped by the Hope Center had no income upon entering, with 70.7% of the residents being men and 25.5% of the individuals facing homelessness between the ages of 35 and 44.

For more information, contact Amanda Phillip at (715) 341-2437 or [email protected].