By: Samantha Weideman & Bryan Vomacka
Blink and you’ll miss it; the Salvation Army brought their kettles into the digital age Nov. 9.
The 154-year-old organization put QR codes and smart chips on their famous red kettles for cashless donations.
The Salvation Army is calling this development “Kettle Pay.”
Last year, the organization tested the technology in Kansas City, New York, Dallas and Seattle, and it did not bring in a lot of money.
“I’m not sure [people] even knew about it,” Campbell said. “No one—while I was there for about an hour and 15 minutes—used it at all. In fact, people kind of just randomly walk by, barely look at you, grab things out of their wallet as they’re walking, and stick it in the bucket.”
People can scan the QR code with their phone’s camera or tap their phones on the kettle signs to make a donation, according to the Salvation Army’s website.
If the QR codes were made bigger, Campbell said more people might use their phones to donate.
“As a volunteer, I don’t think—and I haven’t heard—that they want to push us to market for them or pressure [people],” Campbell said. “But I think [Kettle Pay] is a good option. I hope it helps them get more money.”
Some volunteers are eager to ring the bell for the 129th year of the Red Kettle Campaign.
Eighth-grader Ava Scott has joined her family in ringing the bell for most of her life, and said she enjoys spending time with her family while giving back.
“It means a lot because [my family] comes together, and I don’t see them that much,” Scott said. “It’s nice to see them and it’s nice the little kids learn what it’s like to give back.”
Volunteer Patti Leahy has made volunteering with the Salvation Army a tradition in her family as a way to give back during the holidays.
Leahy said she enjoys seeing the good in people during the holiday season.
“We have some really generous people who give to the red kettle, and you know it’s a sacrifice for what they’re giving,” Leahy said. “There’s a lot of good people out there.”
