The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of things this year, including the annual "Day Of Giving" that KRTV has hosted for the past 12 years. KRTV anchors, reporters, and staff have stood outside of a Great Falls business to collect donations from charitable community members, such as food, clothing, and money. The donations were in turn given to the Salvation Army of Great Falls, Toys For Tots, and the Great Falls Community Food Bank. However, due to the pandemic this year, KRTV won't be doing a live donation event outside. Instead, we are turning the Day Of Giving into a full virtual Week Of Giving, from December 7th through December 12th.
Coronavirus isn’t stopping the Salvation Army’s famed red kettle campaign. The bells will still be ringing, just perhaps a little quieter this year.
“What will change is the number of kettles that go out each day. We might average eight or nine in previous years and this year we might average four or five,” explained Major Mark King with the Salvation Army in Great Falls.
Bell ringing volunteers are still welcomed and needed. For those who would rather not venture out, the Salvation Army is offering a virtual kettle campaign. Major King said he can even create customized links for people, businesses or organizations that can be shared on social media to raise money.
The Salvation Army is seeing an increase in need this year. “We’ve seen an increase anywhere from 20-30% in the number of folks we’re helping everyday with food,” said King.
Their fundraising goal this year is the same as year’s past: $80,000. Retail partners are stepping up to help. Walmart is hosting a national “ring up” day at manned registers and Angel Tree tags can be found inside Walmart and Sam’s Club. “It’s business as usual for the Salvation Army, it’s just like everyone else…working within the confines of what Covid has done to us,” said King.
Here’s a breakdown of how many people the Salvation Army is helping in Great Falls this season:
Food & Toys
- 395 Households
- 1238 Individuals
- 410 Children
Adopt-A-Family Program
- 13 Families
- 19 Adults / 45 Children
Click here for more information, to donate, or create a customized fundraising link.
These are the three organizations that are part of the Day Of Giving. If you would like to help, please use the following links to make a donation:
