Jingle bells are now ringing

The jingle bells are ringing in the Tournament Capital after the local branch of the Salvation Army kicked off its 2024 Kettle Campaign on Wednesday at Cain's Independent Grocer inside Northills Mall.

From now until Christmas, generous donors can give back to the organization with funds that will help support its charitable efforts all year long.

Members of city council and Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Frank Caputo were on hand to help launch the campaign, dropping in the first few dollars toward Sally Ann’s local goal of $240,000 — $10,000 more than the $230,000 collected last year.

Salvation Army Major Tracy Goyak said there are a variety of initiatives the cash helps to support in the Kamloops community.

“We have some wonderful programs,” she said.

“We have an emergency food bank, we have a breakfast program for seniors, we have after school programs for kids, we have camps, we have teen drop-ins — lots of things going on in the Salvation Army and something for every age bracket.”

Goyak said the Salvation Army is seeing more and more new people accessing their services.

“It’s challenging. The cost of groceries is going up, rent is going up, and so we’re finding that people are just coming for that extra little bit of food, or to share a meal. It’s not just always about hunger, it’s about social activity, as well,” she said.

Donations to the campaign can be made online and at the various kettle locations around the city this holiday season.

To learn more about the campaign or how to volunteer, visit Sally Ann’s website.