The Salvation Army has launched their annual Kettle Campaign this year in Saskatoon.

The campaign aims to raise enough money for the Salvation Army to fund its yearly programs, particularly those related to food insecurity, such as their mobile breakfast program and the mobile lunch program.

Derek Kerr, Officer in Charge of Community and Family Services for the Salvation Army, says that volunteers to stand by the kettles are still needed and adds that it is easy to sign up and volunteer.

“All they have to do is visit our website, www.salvationarmysaskatoon.org. There’s a kettle pull down tab, it’ll walk you through how to sign up for kettle. Set up an email account on the site, and it’s really easy.”

Kerr adds that this year’s campaign is raising money that will go toward addressing food insecurity in the city by funding some food programs for children.

“We have a mobile breakfast program that visits a number of schools each morning and provides them with a breakfast sandwich, something hot to drink, as well as a snack. In the summer, we have a mobile feeding program as well, it visits various parks throughout the city and gives out bagged lunches.”

Along with the kettles, the Salvation Army is also doing the Christmas Hampers this year.  Kerr says that the hampers helped lots of families last year and believes the need for them is strong again next year.

“Last year, we did, I think it was over 5000 adults and 8000 children. We recognize the need here in the city and we’re going to do our best to help as many folks as we can.”

The Kettle Campaign and Christmas Hampers will run until Christmas Eve. The goal for the Kettle Campaign is to raise $325,000.