The Salvation Army's Christmas kettles will be set up across town starting this Thursday in hopes of once again providing everyone with the best holiday season possible.
Brandon Letexier, the Christmas Kettle Coordinator for the Portage area, explains that the kettles will run from November 23 to December 23 at Co-op, Portage Supermarket, Walmart and Sobeys.
"All of the money raised goes toward families in need this Christmas and this holiday season, giving them money, clothes, whatever they might need. It all goes toward our clients over at the food bank."
Letexier says that some people in the community have a completely different idea about kettles than what is reality.
"A lot of people think it's begging for money or something like that, but it really isn't. It's more of a social experience, like sitting at the kettle, seeing all these people coming and going that you haven't seen in a while. There's a very big social aspect to it that a lot of people overlook."
Donations can be something as small as pocket change or as much as you want to hand over with the contactless debit payment option, says Letexier.
"We just want to make sure that everyone's having a safe, fun time this year and helping in any way they can."
Letexier notes that if anyone is interested in helping out with the Kettles, contact him at 204-479-1274.
"Every year, there's always people in need, so it's just amazing to see people gather up, come together as the community and help out all those people in need every year. There's definitely no shortage of people that need help this year."
According to the Salvation Army website, the Christmas Kettle Campaign is one of Canada's largest and most recognizable annual charitable events. More than 2,000 kettle locations across Canada support a wide range of programs.
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