Levittown in Need of Donations
A Salvation Army worker ringing a bell beside a red kettle is one of those images that herald in the holiday season.
This year, these volunteers are still at their posts outside supermarkets and department stores but the shoppers who normally would fill those kettles with donations aren't as plentiful since many people are shopping online, especially amid the pandemic.
"The funds raised through the organization's iconic red kettles are at risk this year due to COVID-19 while requests for services are at an all time high," said Gwen Owens, a spokesperson for The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Due to the COVID pandemic, the Salvation Army has launched "Rescue Christmas," an operation to inform donors that their dollars and cents still count, and can be donated at a kettle using Apple Pay or Google Pay, or given safely online. And if someone still wants to put their dollar bills or loose change in the kettle, be assured that they are cleaned daily prior to use, and that all Salvation Army volunteers wear masks while soliciting donations with the kettles..
Last year, the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware division raised more than $3.3 million, which helped it provide more than 7.7 million meals and supported 21,600 people in need when the coronavirus first struck the region last spring. The faith-based Christian human service organization has 48 community centers in the region.
While the Salvation Army projects the number of people it could serve is up 155% this Christmas, it also sees a 50% decrease in funds.
The same is true at its Levittown Corps location on Appletree Drive.
Capt. David Kelly who directs the Levittown corps with his wife, Jessie, said they hope to raise $130,000 this Christmas season and still need more than 50% of that goal. The corps offers an emergency food pantry, provides utility and rental assistance, has a social worker and offers enrichment programs after school to children ages 6 to12.
"We just collect at Christmas but the funds are used throughout the entire year," Kelly said.
Col. Larry Ashcraft, commander of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware division, said there's a concern "that the pandemic would have a direct effect on kettle income ... Retail foot traffic was down by 50% on Black Friday, according to the Wall Street Journal, while online sales are surging. We are at a critical point where the success of our efforts will directly impact our ability to meet the increased need."
Besides making contributions at the kettles, the Salvation Army said online donations can be made safely at https://give.salvationarmy.org/give/301247/#!/donation/checkout or donors can also participate in the Salvation Army-Walmart partnership called Angel Tree, where gifts for children can be purchased to be delivered to a specific Salvation Army corps location.
Kelly asked that anyone wishing to donate directly to the Levittown corps, the only one located in Bucks County, should call 215-945-0717.
"At the height of COVID-19, The Salvation Army partnered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to help feed millions of Pennsylvanians, " said Gov. Tom Wolf. "With more people facing unprecedented hardship this year, the need to provide life-changing aid is greater than ever. It is my sincere hope that working Pennsylvanians and those who aren't hurting financially will give what they can to The Salvation Army to help ensure that no one goes without assistance during the holidays."
Original Source: Bucks County Courier