Volunteer shortfall easing but more needed for Christmas kettle campaign

PENTICTON – A desperate need for volunteers to assist in Penticton Salvation Army’s upcoming kettle campaign has eased, but volunteers are still needed.

Kettle campaign coordinator Val Fenn says around 40 people have come forward in the past week or so, volunteering for some of the roughly 700 time slots that need to be filled.

The campaign begins Thursday, Nov. 22, and runs through the weekend before starting in earnest on Nov. 29, and continuing every day except Sunday through to Christmas Eve.

Fenn says this year’s campaign involves two locations at Cherry Lane Mall, in front of London Drugs and Save on More. Kettles will also be set up at Superstore, Safeway, the B.C. Liquor Store, and two locations at Walmart.

The campaign is also branching out to liquor stores in Oliver and the Summerland this year.

“We’re still looking for volunteers, including the out-of-town locations,” Fenn says, adding the campaign goal this year is to raise $160,000. Last year the campaign raised $111,000. 

The money assists in operating the food bank and supplying Christmas Hampers.

“It’s a lofty goal, but we think we can do it. We gave out 850 hampers last year, with between 400 to 500 hampers distributed each month from the food bank,” Fenn says.

Volunteers can sign up for a single two-hour shift or more if they wish. Training will be provided.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to call Val Fenn at 250-488-0726 or email her directly at pentictonkettlecoordinator@shaw.ca.

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