How The Salvation Army Prepared for the 2024 Holiday Season
As the holiday season wraps up and the end of the year approaches, The Salvation Army reflects on how it has brought cheer and relief to communities across all of Greater New York. From our iconic bell-ringers spreading joy in bustling city streets to providing warm meals and groceries to those in need, we’re committed to making this season brighter for everyone. Here’s how we’re making an impact this year:
Bell-Ringing: A Tradition of Cheer and Giving
The sound of ringing bells is synonymous with the holiday season, and our Red Kettle campaign is in full swing. This year, Salvation Army officers are spreading joy on the streets of NYC, from dancing to festive tunes near Rockefeller Plaza to greeting passersby with smiles and holiday cheer.
This tradition, which began in 1900, has its roots in the ingenuity of 16-year-old Salvation Army Cadet Amelia Kunkle. On a chilly winter day near Wall Street, Amelia struggled to get donations until she decided to ring a bell to catch people’s attention. Her clever idea worked, and soon bell-ringing became a national symbol of holiday giving.
Funds raised through the Red Kettle campaign directly support our programs, including:
- Providing warm meals and coats for our unhoused neighbors during the harsh winter months.
- Hosting Thanksgiving dinners for families who might otherwise go without.
- Purchasing Christmas toys for children in need.
WNBC Channel 4 Feature on Bell-Ringers
Turkey Distributions: A Helping Hand for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving can be a difficult time for many families facing financial challenges. Inflation and rising living costs mean some are forced to choose between having a holiday meal and meeting other essential expenses.
The Salvation Army is here to ensure no one misses out on the warmth and joy of Thanksgiving. Through our annual turkey distribution program, we partner with organizations like CMA CGM to provide thousands of turkeys and Thanksgiving staples to families in need. Additionally, we host community dinners at our local corps, offering a welcoming space for those who may not have a table to gather around.
Lieutenant Esther Mobley, lead pastor of The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps in Staten Island, knows the impact firsthand. Having once faced food insecurity herself, she now leads efforts to help others overcome similar challenges. Read her inspiring story here.
Fighting Hunger in Queens: A Growing Need
At the Queens Temple Corps in Jackson Heights, food insecurity is a daily reality for hundreds of residents. The corps’ food pantry, which now serves 175 to 250 people each week, has seen demand soar to four or five times pre-pandemic levels.
Major Guillermo De Caterina, who oversees the food pantry, attributes this increase to the lingering effects of the pandemic and the reduction of key subsidies like food stamps. The need is especially acute during the holidays, as families seek to make ends meet while still celebrating the season.
The Queens Temple Corps continues to meet this challenge head-on, distributing free meals and groceries to those who need them most. Read more about their efforts in the Queens Chronicle.
Join Us in Spreading Hope
The Salvation Army’s mission is to bring hope and joy to those in need during the holidays and beyond. Whether through donating to a Red Kettle, volunteering at one of our community events, or spreading awareness of our programs, there are countless ways to get involved.
Want to help? Visit salvationarmyny.org/ways-to-give to learn how you can make a difference this holiday season. Or directly support our programs and efforts to reach as many New Yorkers as possible by making a donation today.
Together, we can ensure everyone has something to celebrate. From all of us at The Salvation Army, thank you for helping us brighten the holidays for our neighbors in need.