Kettle campaign launch with Shieldy (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KETTLE CAMPAIGN

Salvation Army Kamloops kicks off holiday Kettle Campaign with $240,000 goal

Nov 13, 2025 | 5:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — The annual Salvation Army kettle campaign is officially off and running in Kamloops. Two years ago, the Salvation Army dealt with issues around BC Liquor stores, last year there was the postal strike affecting mail-in donations — this year, things appear to be all systems go.

The sounds of the holiday season are upon us in Kamloops as the Salvation Army has kicked off its Kettle Campaign along with local dignitaries and new mascot Shieldy, with the hopes of raising $240,000.

“It is a time and a season when things are more expensive,” said Major Orest Goyak. “It’s not just groceries, it’s your lighting bill, your gas bill — all kinds of things are more expensive. Everything seems to be more expensive, but we still have to provide what we can for the community, so we are asking if you can dig a little deeper, give that donation to the Salvation Army. We will stretch our dollar as far as we can.”

The money raised in Kamloops stays within the community, used by the Salvation Army for several of its programs, including a seniors food service.

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“We have our mobile truck that we do feeding from, as well,” said Goyak. “Weekly, we are serving hundreds and hundreds of meals. As you know, groceries are expensive and it’s getting more expensive, so we need these funds so we can buy the groceries for these programs.”

The campaign is run through the kindness of volunteers, with approximately 40 per cent of the shifts for ringing the bells still available.

“We do need hundreds and hundreds of hours of shifts, and if it wasn’t for the volunteers in the community doing what they do, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish our goal,” added Goyak. “We do have more and more volunteers signing up every year. Online, you can go to https://www.kamloopssalvationarmy.ca/.”

On top of the grocery stores, the kettles will appear at BC Liquor stores beginning on December 1.