STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
(Photo credit: Everything GP Staff/Nathaniel Leigh)
By Nathaniel Leigh
Community

MLA Dyck kicks off Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign

Nov 15, 2024 | 7:00 AM

The Salvation Army launched its Christmas Kettle Campaign in Grande Prairie on Thursday with Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck as the first official donor.

Executive Director of the Grande Prairie branch, Captain Peter Kim says it was amazing to have support from the province.

“[The Salvation Army is] happy to continue to work with all donors,” Kim says.

“Whether it’s the government or just the individual in our community that continues to help and support those families and individuals who are struggling with food security in our community. Which, right now, is a big crisis.”

(Photo credit: Everything GP Staff/Nathaniel Leigh)

The Kettle Campaign is an annual fundraiser for the Salvation Army’s year-round programs for people struggling with hard times.

Kim says they hope to raise $650,000 during this year’s campaign

(Photo credit: Everything GP Staff/Nathaniel Leigh)

“That is simply just to meet the needs of our community,” he says.

“And that’s not talking about how many new families and new individuals are coming. Generally, in the past four years we’ve had two to three thousand new households access the food bank.”

(Photo credit: Everything GP Staff/Nathaniel Leigh)

He says one-in-five Grande prairie residents may make use of the Salvation Army’s services.

“Traditionally we would service low-income earners, maybe 5 per cent of the population,” he says.

“What we’re finding is that the mid-to-low income earners are now struggling to get by, and they’re shifting down into the low-income bracket because of the cost of everything.”

Christmas Kettles can be found at numerous locations around town, including the Prairie Mall Shopping Centre.

(Photo credit: Everything GP Staff/Nathaniel Leigh)
by Nathaniel Leigh