It’s become synonymous with the other sounds of the season: Mariah Carey’s Christmas music or the doorbell dings of the Amazon delivery drivers—yes, the ringing of those Salvation Army Kettle Bells.
But if you’ve noticed fewer bell ringers this year, you’re not wrong.
The Red Kettle campaign debuted in San Francisco in 1891, with the bells added in New York City shortly after. By 1901, kettle funds provided for the first large-scale sit-down dinner at Madison Square Garden for those in need.
Each year, more than 25,000 people volunteer to be Salvation Army bell ringers from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. This year, however, many storefronts and corners have been noticeably absent of bell ringers, red kettles—and donations.
So, what’s behind the decline?
The Salvation Army tells KTLA that in 2023 the organization had fewer than half the volunteers it had before the pandemic, although those numbers are slowly starting to rebound.
Adding to the challenge are fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as a struggling economy, which has led people to cut back on extra expenses.
The Salvation Army calls it “empathy economics” which typically drive volunteerism and donations during Christmas and admits to KTLA with many people still feeling the financial strain, “it may be tough to overcome this year’s challenges.”
They’re hoping for a strong finish and their own Christmas miracle.
Bell Ringers are still stationed through Christmas Eve across the region from places including Walmart & Sams Club, Ralphs/Food 4 Less and other Kroger stores, Hobby Lobby, JCPenney, Albertsons, Stater Bros., Bristol Farms, Big Lots, Dillards, Bass Pro/Cabela, and Walgreens/Rite Aid.
There’s still time to donate—even if you don’t see a red kettle in person.
If you’d like to contribute to an online kettle, you can go to The Salvation Army’s Southern California website: SoCalRedKettle.org All donations to the kettles will stay in your local neighborhood, providing the basic needs for your neighbors in need.