PENTICTON – The Salvation Army’s Christmas campaigns are underway in Penticton, but volunteers are still needed.

Salvation Army Penticton program coordinator Barb Stewart says they are still seeking kettle volunteers to help at several locations in the city.

Toy donations are also needed as the organization takes on the additional challenge of operating the Cawston-Keremeos Food Bank this year.

“Gifts of toys would be much appreciated, and we could use more kettle volunteers, otherwise the Christmas campaigns are good. I’m blown away by the number of volunteers coming to help pack and distribute hampers at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre,” she says.

The hampers will be packed Tuesday, Dec. 13 and Wednesday, Dec. 14, for distribution on Dec. 15.

The Salvation Army will pack 900 hampers this year, up slightly from last year.

Stewart notes an increasing need amongst the city’s seniors for the Salvation Army’s services at Christmas.

“It’s a demographic that’s been rising for the past two years. There are many seniors in Penticton living on fixed incomes who are seeing rising food prices and can’t make ends meet after the bills are paid,” she says, noting single senior hamper orders are noticeably higher this year.

Those wishing to help the Salvation Army with this year’s Kettle Campaign can call Chrisoula Kirk at 250-809-0601. Stewart says toy donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Army Church, located at 2469 Main St. or at the Food Bank at 2399 Main St.

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