Massena Salvation Army still seeking bellringers

Oct. 28—MASSENA — The Massena Salvation Army is still in need of bellringers for the upcoming Red Kettle campaign.

Lt. Nicholas White, Salvation Army commander, said they're scheduled an orientation for 1 p.m. Nov. 2 for anyone who's interested in manning one of the red kettles. Interested individuals should bring two forms of identification to the orientation, which will be held at their headquarters, 178 Victory Road.

White said they're seeking either volunteer or paid bellringers.

"The hardest part is recruiting volunteers. It does get tougher every day," he said.

Paid bellringers will receive $14.20 an hour, but he said that cuts into what the Salvation Army has available to assist families.

"We average about $6,000 in payroll. When we raise $55,000 we have to shave off $6,000 for payroll," White said.

The red kettles will be staffed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with a flexible schedule available. The campaign begins on Nov. 13 at Price Chopper and Big Lots, which offer inside stands for the bellringers, and JCPenney, which is an outside stand.

The red kettles will make their appearance at Walmart Supercenter starting Nov. 18, at the entrances to both the pharmacy and market areas. Those are both outside stands.

White said they'll also have occasional kettles set up at the Massena Walgreens.

The Red Kettle campaign wraps up on Dec. 23.

This year's goal is $66,000. They surpassed last year's goal of $44,000, raising $55,000 by the time the red kettles closed for the season.

The need is out there, White said. He said "well over" 100 families use the Salvation Army's food pantry, and some upper class families are now starting to seek assistance to "help alleviate that stress and combat food insecurity."

They purchased $181,000 in food from the Central New York Food Bank last year.

"It adds up very quickly," he said.

But, they need the money from the Red Kettle campaign to make that happen, he said.

"It really takes this community coming together through Christmas kettles to make that happen. It has been tremendously mind-blowing how supportive they are of their neighbors," White said.

As they prepare for the Red Kettle campaign, he said they've been accepting applications for holiday assistance.

"We're up to about 60 families for Thanksgiving meals already. I think we have 40 Christmas applications," he said.

The Massena Salvation Army's service area extends beyond Massena. It also assists individuals and families in Bombay, Brasher Falls, Chase Mills, Fort Covington, Helena, Norfolk, North Lawrence, Raymondville, Rooseveltown and Waddington.

For more information, contact White at 315-769-5154.