By Curtis Galbraith

Community

Salvation Army Kettle Campaign surpasses fundraising goal

Jan 4, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The Salvation Army in Grande Prairie says it has reached its fund-raising goal for the 2023 Christmas Kettle campaign.

It says a total of $659,266.35 was collected, beating the goal of $650,000.

A new, $40,000 grant from the provincial government will be added to the total.

Captain Peter Kim says the total was a surprise as they were afraid they were not going to make their goal for 2023.

“But we also had faith, knowing that we probably would make it because of the generous people of Grande Prairie.”

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The Salvation Army, and Kim, are thanking the community for its “generous and continued support.”

“Grande Prairie has always been a community that cares for others and always steps up when the going gets tough.”

“It’s that kind of generosity and willingness to help their fellow man to be able to get by this Christmas and throughout the year (is) why these campaigns have been very successful.”

The money goes towards funding Salvation Army programs throughout the year.

Kim says “one in five people in Grande Prairie is struggling with food insecurity.”

“We’re seeing such an increase in the number of people using our Food Bank.”

“We’ve actually given out over 8000 hampers this year. Last year, we gave out about 5500, so you can see that the numbers have grown.”

Kim says the Sargent Family Foundation got the campaign started with a donation of $100,000.

He adds all the donations, big and small, helped the Salvation Army reach its goal.