Salvation Army Kettle Campaign offering tap

The local Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign will have a new electronic twist this year.  

Local officials believe the timing is ideal to offer "tap" payment options for those who want to donate this year.

"We will have a tap option this year which will be completely touchless for both those who are giving and those who are standing by the kettle," explained Major Bonita McGory, a Corps officer with the Salvation Army in North Bay.

"It is simply a machine that will have different areas for different amounts (5,10,20) and you will put your debit or credit card to whatever you want to donate and that's it."

McGrory says the annual campaign will be launched officially in downtown North Bay on Friday morning.     

"That will be the first day that our kettles will hit the street," she said. 

"We are cutting down the number of stores that we will be at simply because of the restrictions and we also have less volunteers." 

With the economy being impacted by the pandemic McGory says the Kettle Campaign is even more important this year.

"The Kettle Campaign is our only fundraiser and it is what we raise during that campaign that funds everything for the year coming," she said.  

"With the increased need and no real end in sight for COVID-19 we really need a push to raise funds this year."

McGory says she has really recognized the need in the community this year.  

"We serve people in need at our food bank," she said.  

"We provide meals every week to the Gathering Place. We provide school lunches to four different schools. At the schools, we have really seen the need increase for the school lunches."

Those interested in volunteering can still sign up for an orientation course, while residents can also go online to donate by visiting https://salvationarmy.ca/