Salvation Army Kroc Center Prepares for Red Kettle Campaign and Angel Tree Program

The Salvation Army Kroc Center in South Bend, Indiana, is preparing for its annual Red Kettle Campaign and Angel Tree program as the Christmas season approaches. These initiatives are central to the Salvation Army’s mission of providing aid and support to those in need, reflecting its commitment to community service and charitable outreach.

Yvette Leyva, marketing director for the Kroc Center and the Salvation Army, announced that the Red Kettle Campaign will begin at the Farmers Market on November 7 at 9:30 a.m., with South Bend Mayor James Mueller joining the event. The campaign will take place in 25 locations across St. Joseph County, aiming to raise $165,000. All proceeds will support the Salvation Army’s programs, including the Kroc Center and the Family Resource Center.

Tiffany Rusher, family resources director at the Kroc Center, explained that the funds raised will support various programs, such as financial education, budgeting assistance, Thanksgiving baskets, and the Angel Tree program. Last year, the Angel Tree program assisted approximately 1,000 families and over 2,000 children, highlighting the center’s ongoing efforts to provide tangible support during the holiday season.

Rusher noted that the Family Resource Center does not set a specific cap on the number of families it assists through the Angel Tree program. Instead, it focuses on meeting the needs of as many families as possible. The program’s goal is aligned with the broader fundraising objective of the Red Kettle Campaign, which seeks to raise $165,000.

Registration for the Angel Tree program opens on October 19, with Distribution Day allowing families to shop for gifts for their children. Rusher emphasized that this year’s program will include children up to the age of 13, a group she described as particularly challenging to find appropriate gifts for. This expansion reflects the center’s effort to address the needs of a broader range of families.

Families seeking assistance or wishing to donate can contact Rusher directly at the Kroc Center, drop off toys at bins set up at Walmart, or purchase and ship gifts through Amazon. All registration and donation information is available on the Kroc Center’s website and social media pages, ensuring accessibility for those in need.

The Salvation Army’s initiatives, such as the Red Kettle Campaign and Angel Tree program, exemplify its dedication to serving the community through practical aid and compassion. These efforts align with the biblical call to care for the vulnerable and to act with mercy and justice, as seen in Micah 6:8, which emphasizes doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.

Source: Read the original report