BY MATT PIKE
ST. JOSEPH POST
The Salvation Army is in desperate need of more bell ringers.
Major Ron Key of the Salvation Army says that the number of volunteers this year has been lower due to the pandemic.
"Some volunteer groups that we had chose not to ring this year for COVID, just out of concern," Key points out. "And then there's some other volunteer groups that instead of taking a whole day, maybe they take less of a time, so we're not covering places all day sometimes."
Key adds that due to the pandemic, the number of donations has also dropped about twenty percent so far, because there is less foot traffic at the stores in town.
"So, with less foot traffic comes less chance of getting a donation," Key says. "I will say that places that we are at, when we are at them, the people are generous in giving, it's just not as many people that are walking by. So, that's why we're offering other ways for people to donate to us to make it easier for them and safer for them."
Though the Salvation Army is currently looking for bell ringers, Key says there are other ways to give.
"There are several ways we're offering to people just out of safety or whatever," Key says. "On our signs at the bell ringing spots there's a way they can pay with Google pay or Apple pay, so all you have to do is just click on that and it will ask them how much they want to give."
Key also says that you can access the Salvation Army's registry at Walmart to donate either toys or money.
You can also send a check or money to the Salvation Army's office with your donation.