It’s a Christmas symbol as familiar as Santa Claus.
The red Christmas kettles of the Salvation Army, which has served Barrie for 135 years.
There are 19 kettles being staffed by volunteers across the city.
Executive director Capt. Stephanie Watkinson says the financial goal is $575,000 this year, which is up from $550,000 last year.
“The goal did go, up but so did the need," she said.
Money from the red kettle campaign goes for a number of things, including the soup kitchen and the shelter.
"You can imagine the bills with the rising cost of food," Watkinson said. "Some money also goes to the shelter, where we house men and families. We have had overlap mats out since the middle of November.”
As of Dec. 8, the agency has reached 39 per cent of the goal.
There is also a need to volunteers to staff the kettles through Dec. 24. The time commitment is two hours.
“Basically, all that is required is to stand at the kettles and thank people for their donations," Watkinson said.
“More people are feeling the need closer to home," she added. "Poverty is not overseas. It is closer to home. It's our neighbours and ourselves.”
From January through November 2018, the Salvation Army has served 90,540 meals and offered beds to 19,346 men and families.
On Dec. 22, from 4- 6 p.m., and Christmas Eve, from noon to 2 p.m.) a group of volunteers will be singing carols and raising money for the Salvation Army kettles.
Organizer, Dawn Mucci says everyone is welcome for the carolling in front of the big tree in the rotunda at the Georgian Mall.
