Salvation Army of Traverse City Launches Red Kettle Campaign November 13: $249,500 Goal Alongside Holiday Assistance and Free Community Meals
In Traverse City, in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, The Salvation Army of Traverse City will launch its 2026 Red Kettle Campaign on Friday, November 13, at Blain's Farm & Fleet, seeking to raise $249,500 to support programs serving about 30,000 local people. The public kickoff runs from 9:30 to 10 a.m., with Major Alan Hellstrom, corps officer, welcoming attendees; Williams Chevrolet is this year's Gold Kettle Sponsor.
Bell ringing begins November 13 and continues through December 24, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, at locations including Walmart, Sam's Club, Tom's Food Markets, Oleson's Food Stores, Blain's Farm & Fleet, Family Fare and Hobby Lobby, with new downtown locations at Espresso Bay and Grand Traverse Pie Co. on Park Street.
An anonymous donor will provide up to $50,000 in matching funds on Mondays and Saturdays in December, plus a $35,000 match during the campaign's final week. Red Kettle donations support local social service programs.
The Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts for children ages 17 and younger and a Thanksgiving or Christmas food basket for qualifying families; in 2025, the program served 639 children, including 182 teens ages 13 to 17. Applications opened October 26 at SAAngelTree.org. Applicants must live in Grand Traverse, Benzie or Leelanau counties and have household incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Households without children may apply for a food basket at 1239 Barlow St.
Free holiday community meals, open to everyone with no reservations required, will be served at the Corps Community Center at 1239 Barlow St: Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, November 25, and Christmas dinner on Wednesday, December 23, both from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a homemade meal, fellowship, music and a visit from Santa.
The Salvation Army of Traverse City announcement
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 救世军红壶与摇铃志愿者在超市入口募捐（资料图，摄于密歇根州Ypsilanti）。Dwight Burdette 摄，CC BY 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / A Salvation Army red kettle and bell ringer at a supermarket entrance in Ypsilanti, Michigan (file photo). Photo by Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
