The bells are ringing today for The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign, after the familiar long-time fund-raising campaign started Thursday in the Southern Tier and elsewhere.With shoppers carrying less cash these days — and also less actually going to brick-and-mortar stores — it poses a challenge to The Salvation Army, which funds much of its yearly budget through The Red Kettle Campaign. So, the campaign is going hi-tech.Now, you can donate with “Kettle Pay” that accepts Apple Pay or Google Pay. This holiday season’s Red Kettles now feature stickers that allow you to donate almost as easily as dropping cash in the kettle.The Salvation Army has placed smart chips and QR codes on Red Kettle signs across the state, allowing donors to simply “bump” or scan their phones to make a digital donation.Donors will be directed to a custom donation page that accepts Apple or Google payment options. The funds will then be distributed to local Salvation Army units based on the donor’s billing ZIP code, and an email receipt will be sent directly to their phone.Donors with an Apple iPhone Xs, Xr, and Xs Max or Android phones made since 2012 can just bump their phones on the sign. Donors with older phones can scan the QR codes.“For nearly 155 years, The Salvation Army has employed creative, forward thinking to find solutions. More consumers are using their phones to pay for everyday items and Kettle Pay makes it even easier for donors to join The Salvation Army’s Fight for Good. Anyone can fight for our neighbors who are experiencing poverty by donating to Salvation Army programs, including food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and Christmas assistance for families in need,” said Major Ivan Rock, Commander of The Salvation Army.
