WAUKESHA — The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign starts Friday.
It is the biggest fundraiser for this historic organization.
Major Teri Nauta had to make one of the toughest decisions. Instead of a sit-down meal where hundreds are served a free dinner - she explained this year, “It will be in a styrofoam to-go box,” she adds, “There is probably 15 percent that don’t have homes, so they’re going to be forced to eat outside.”
Despite this, they expect at least 200 families to line up to experience a semblance of holiday. That would be a 25-percent jump from last year, “Because the need is that high,” said Major Nauta, “[Many they serve] are not working, because their children are in school, and school is so different.”
This, coupled with more people filing for unemployment has her seeing new families lining up at their food pantry, “We’ve set up another tent for our bread to try to keep it out of the sun because it was molding in the summer,” Major Nauta explained.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the biggest fundraiser of the year. It could not come at a better time. Major Nauta is still nervous, “We’re a little concerned about traffic at stores because traffic has been down. Foot traffic has been down. Are people going to have cash on them?”
With their postal food drive canceled this past May because of the pandemic, they are holding onto faith warm hearts will come through.
Here’s your Rebound Rundown:
- The Salvation Army of Waukesha County will pass out Thanksgiving meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their building located at: 445 Madison Street, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
- Their food pantry is open to-go Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. Click here to see the hours for each day.
- You can also donate to help those in need by texting ‘Waukesha’ to ‘23465’
- There are other ways to donate online, by phone and by mail. You can click here to learn more.