Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun will be ringing the bell Friday morning in support of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and also visiting the Public Works/AFSCME Food Drive to encourage shoppers to support the annual community food drive.
Mayor Salamun will ring the bell as part of the Red Kettle Campaign at the westside Safeway store beginning Friday at 11 a.m. Earlier that morning at 10:15 a.m., the mayor will participate in the Public Works/AFSCME community food drive at the West Side Family Fare store, encouraging shoppers to donate food items to the drive.
“I’m looking forward to participating in both efforts this Friday, encouraging the community to support the food drive and the Red Kettle campaign,” said Mayor Salamun. “The Public Works employees and AFSCME members are hoping to donate more than a ton of food items this year to Feeding South Dakota.
“I’m also looking forward to once again ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, greeting store visitors and encouraging them to donate. Through their many programs, the Salvation Army of the Black Hills impacts many individuals and families in our Rapid City area and Black Hills region, throughout the Christmas holiday season and year.”
The Public Works/AFSCME community food drive has collected more than 2,100 pounds of food and over $1,100 in cash donations during the past two community food drives. Non-perishable food items are requested with an emphasis on holiday food items such as stuffing mix, canned vegetables, instant potatoes and cranberry sauce.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraising event of the year for the Salvation Army and runs through Christmas Eve. Individual and group volunteers stand outside of community businesses ringing bells to inspire and encourage the public to place donations inside the red kettles. Red Kettle donations assist in supporting programs of The Salvation Army of the Black Hills.
To volunteer as a bell ringer this holiday season, contact 605-342-0982.
