The Salvation Army kicked off its Christmas Kettle Campaign at the end of November, an annual initiative that will benefit the less fortunate in Penhold and Innisfail.
The campaign runs from Nov. 19 to Dec. 23 and collects money for families in need throughout the region.
“The money is used for our family services. We do provide some assistance if people in Innisfail and Penhold are in need of assistance throughout the year,” said Maj. Larry Bridger with the Salvation Army in Red Deer. “I know that Innisfail has a food bank there, but we have been able to assist some families and individuals from Innisfail. If there is a real need we do try and step in and help out where we can.”
Money is collected during the kettle campaign at the Innisfail Thrift store and goes to their location in Red Deer, where it is used in towns and cities across the region, noted Bridger.
“We do service this entire area for our families that are in need,” he said, pointing to an example. “Last year, with the apartment building that burned down in Penhold, we assisted families there with accommodation and some other things.”
In addition, the Salvation Army is holding the Adopt-a-Family program this year in Penhold.
“It's Christmas assistance. It provides food and toys for families and children,” said Bridger, noting they held a registration day on Nov. 27 at the Penhold library where families could register to receive Christmas assistance.
“We know that there are families that register and they still can. They have to register through our office in Red Deer. They can call to make an appointment and register for the Adopt-a-Family program,” he said, noting that Dec. 11 is the last day to register for this year.
Families in the program are matched up and sponsored by others in the community. The family remains anonymous, although the sponsor is provided with a list of gift ideas for the family that may include toys, food and gift cards.
“If we don't have enough sponsors to pair up all of the families, then we will see to it that they have food and gifts so they can have a proper Christmas,” Bridger concluded.
For more information call The Salvation Army at 403-346-2251
Maj. Larry Bridger
"The money is used for our family services. We do provide some assistance if people in Innisfail and Penhold are in need of assistance throughout the year."
