The Salvation Army Unveils New Cashless Kettles

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, November 30, 2009 – For the first time in Memphis, this year donors will have the opportunity to use a credit or debit card to donate to The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign.

Six of the organization’s 60 bell-ringing locations will be equipped with a secure terminal which donors can use make a donation with a credit or debit card. The cashless kettles are extremely easy to use. Donors simply swipe their cards, select the amount they want to donate, and either enter their pin number if using a debit card, or sign the receipt if using a credit card. The terminal will then print a donation receipt for tax records. The whole process takes just a couple of minutes.

“We believe the cashless kettles will give us the opportunity to appeal to a wider audience this year,” said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander, The Salvation Army. “For more than 100 years, The Salvation Army has been ringing the bell at Christmas and collecting cash donations, but the world is changing – people are relying more on credit cards and we need to be able to change with the times. Our goal is to build this program over the next three-to-five years and gradually add more cashless kettles as the public becomes more familiar with this new way to give.”

The Salvation Army is using SecurePointe Technologies to provide the terminals, while First Data Corporation provides the secure banking transaction. None of the terminals store credit card information.

This year’s Red Kettle Campaign goal is $400,000. The Salvation Army uses the money raised through this fundraiser to fulfill its year-round work of feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.

“We have seen the need for our services increase 21 percent during the last two years,” said Major Woodcock. “It is our hope that this year’s Red Kettle Campaign will raise enough money to fund our programs throughout 2010.”

The six cashless kettle locations are Hobby Lobby, 7986 Highway 64, Bartlett (near Wolfchase Galleria), the Food Court entrance at the Wolfchase Galleria, Kroger at 7615 Hwy 70 (at Summer and Appling) in Bartlett, Oak Court Mall (Poplar Entrance on Saturdays), Kroger at 540 Mendenhall (at Sanderlin) and Schnucks at 3150 Forest Hill Irene (at Poplar). The Red Kettle Campaign runs Monday-Saturday through noon on Christmas Eve. The Salvation Army does not ring the bell on Sundays.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Memphis began its work in the city on October 18, 1900. Since then, the organization has fought hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and suffering caused by disaster. At the center of The Salvation Army’s work in Memphis is a common belief that all people can make positive changes. The Salvation Army believes in the healing power of compassion, love, dignity and respect, and use these principles to guide our actions and words.

The Salvation Army values the transforming power of God and the salvation that comes from knowing Christ as our personal savior. The Salvation Army believes that enduring change comes from holistic ministry to the mind, body and spirit.

In 2008, The Salvation Army Memphis helped more than 20,700 people, provided more than 67,000 nights of lodging, and served 209,462 meals and snacks. For more information on our work, visit www.salvationarmymemphis.org.

CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry
(901) 786-8221

Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260-9130