As Christmas approaches, the Salvation Army is urging the public to support its annual Red Kettle Campaign with a financial donation.

This year, as demand for services continues to rise and donations trail behind previous years, the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division has introduced a special match challenge to help every dollar go further.

Under the challenge, any local Salvation Army Corps that surpasses its 2024 Red Kettle fundraising total will receive up to $5,000 in matched funds to help meet urgent local needs.

“Across our communities, the Salvation Army is seeing more people turn to us for help, and at the same time, Red Kettle donations are slower than in years past,” said Lt. Colonel Edgar George Jr., divisional commander of the Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. “If there was ever a time to consider giving back, it’s now. Thanks to this match challenge, every gift can go twice as far to help the community members we serve.”

Every gift, no matter the size, stays in the local community where it’s received, supporting neighbors facing hardship with food, shelter and social services.

To donate online, visit https://salarmy.us/EPARedKettle.

Donors may also text KETTLE to 31333 to be directed to the nearest Virtual Red Kettle. Donations may also be made to any red kettle at local retailers and shopping centers across the region.

The urgency is real for many families.

According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 people, which includes 1 in 6 children, are facing hunger in Pennsylvania.

For 134 years, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign has offered a way for the public to help meet these urgent needs, not only during the holidays but all year long, providing food, housing, emergency aid, disaster response, and more.

Last year, the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division’s Red Kettle Campaign raised more than $3 million, which helped provide 7,052,334 meals, house 4,321 families, and distribute 211,563 toys to children during the holiday season.

To learn more, visit https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania.