The Salvation Army of Marion County is cutting back its hours of storefront bell ringing this year due to COVID-19. Rather than having church groups ring bells to encourage donations, several youth organizations will be helping with this year’s efforts.
Bell ringing will only take place on Fridays and Saturdays beginning after Thanksgiving. They will, however, ring bells Monday through Thursday during the week leading up to Christmas. In Marion County, ringing will take place at Walmart and Fareway in Knoxville. Kitty Shepherd with the Salvation Army says that any donation will make a difference.
“When you see the red kettles, you’d be surprised at how pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters add up fast. If you feel it in your heart, if God has touched you that way, please put a few cents in the red kettle, we certainly do appreciate it. And if it’s cold, say hi to those people that are ringing.”