Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
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Red Kettle History

In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome -- funding the project.

Where would the money come from, he wondered. He lay awake nights, worrying, thinking, praying about how he could find the funds to fulfill his commitment of feeding 1,000 of the city's poorest individuals on Christmas Day. As he pondered the issue, his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called "Simpson's Pot" into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.

The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, "Keep the Pot Boiling." He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas.

Six years later, the kettle idea spread from the west coast to the Boston area. That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.

Captain McFee's kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but all across the world. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, Chile and many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

What is a Red Kettle Sponsor?

A company or organization that agrees to sponsor a local Red Kettle location for one or more days during the Christmas season.

How Does it Benefit my organization?

It's a great opportunity for your organization to show community support. Your logo and/or name will be prominently displayed at the Red Kettle for the duration of your sponsorship.

How does it benefit my community?

A successful Red Kettle season greatly increases The Salvation Army's ability to meet your community's food, clothing and shelter needs throughout the year.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of sponsoring a Red Kettle for one day is $500. If your organization decides to sponsor more than one day, the days do not have to be concurrent. 

How many Bell Ringing hours is considered a full day?

The normal daily hours and days of the week for each Red Kettle location is from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Wednesday's, Thursday's, Friday's and Saturdays.

Who do I contact for more information?

For more information, please contact Anne.Wright@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 803-223-9969

Red Kettle Sponsorship Program

Please fill out the form below to partner with TSA of the Midlands as a Red Kettle Sponsor