The Knoxville Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers and donations for their 2024 Red Kettle campaign.

The Knoxville Salvation Army closed down due to running out of funding, but was able to re-open earlier this year thanks to a strong holiday fundraising season last year. The red kettles in Knoxville last year raised $29,470 and the Salvation Army center in Knoxville is now open two days a week at 308 E Robinson St. The international movement, church, and charitable organization has helped people all over the world for over 150 years. The organization helps the Knoxville community in several different ways, including finishing rent or utility bills that are not able to be paid. A large majority of the funding for Salvation Army comes from the red kettles placed outside of local businesses during Christmas time. The Salvation Army red kettle campaign began in 1891 by Captain Joseph McFee, a Salvation Army officer who was looking for a way to cover the cost of the community Christmas meal. 

Ninety percent of the funding from the red kettles outside of Fareway and WalMart in Knoxville stays right in Marion County to help out local citizens in their time of need and the other 10% is for area disaster relief. The funds also go to the Knoxville Police Department to help provide temporary shelter for individuals or gas vouchers. Pastor Brent Hanna who oversees Knoxville’s Salvation Army encourages everyone to donate this year or sign up to ring the bell.

“It’s rewarding socially. You see friends and neighbors all the time when you’re ringing the bell. We’re not asking for a lot. We’re happy with dollar bills, quarters, pennies, nickels, and dimes, we’re happy with all of that because it does add up. We distribute that very carefully.

Community members or organizations can call Kitty Shepherd at 641-842-6234 to volunteer for a shift of ringing the bell. The center in Knoxville is open from 1:00-3:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Hear more from Hanna along with Police Chief Aaron Fuller on an upcoming Let’s Talk Knoxville.