Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

The Salvation Army launches its 131st annual Red Kettle Campaign.

The Salvation Army’s Captain Joseph McFee in San Francisco had resolved in December of 1891 to provide a Christmas dinner free to the area’s poor. But how would he pay for the food? As he went about his daily tasks, the question stayed in his mind. Suddenly, his thoughts went back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. On the Stage Landing, where the boats came in, he saw a large pot into which charitable donations were thrown by passersby.

The next morning, he secured permission from the authorities to place a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing, at the foot of Market Street. No time was lost in securing the pot and placing it in a conspicuous position so that it could be seen by all those going to and from the ferryboats. Thus, Captain McFee launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but throughout the world.

Today, donations to The Salvation Army Red Kettles during the holidays help support the more than 30 million Americans served by the Army annually through a diverse set of life-changing services and programs. Among them, food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, outreach to the elderly, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children.

Wherever people find The Salvation Army, public contributions to the Red Kettles enable The Salvation Army to do the most good and bring the spirit of Christmas to those who could otherwise be forgotten all year long.