The Pasadena Salvation Army will hold its 7th annual Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast this Thursday morning, November 20, at 8 a.m. The event generally marks the beginning of the Red Kettle collection season.
Few things evoke the holiday season like the familiar Salvation Army Bell ringers outside Pasadena shops and businesses every Christmas. Obviously this year, with the Coronavirus Pandemic, such a tradition will be impossible.
So, as nearly every other group and non-profit has learned to do in this most challenging of years, The Pasadena Salvation Army will hold its 7th annual Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast this Thursday morning, November 20, at 8 a.m.
The event generally marks the beginning of the Red Kettle collection season.
“While we take time to reflect on the challenges we have faced in 2020 and to count our many blessings and all the joy that the holiday season brings, there are many in our community who are not as fortunate,” said Captain Terry Masango, corps officer of the Pasadena Tabernacle.
But, Masango noted, “We are excited to bring back Fritz Coleman as our emcee and excited for everyone to meet our keynote speaker, Lisa Guerrero.”
Pasadena Salvation Army Tabernacle’s Captain Terry Masango, MSL, shown speaking at the 2019 Red Kettle season kickoff breakfast. [Photo by Brian Biery]
According to their website, the charity group expects to see a greater need for their services, more than any in recent history, in fact.
Given that many stores have closed their doors, some permanently, US unemployment rates are expected to be 10%-11%, and the number of people in need, locally and nationally, has increased disproportionately.
“Based on the increased service we’ve already provided this year due to COVID-19, we need resources to serve up to 155% more people with Christmas assistance,” said Masango.
“Because of COVID-19, we must start earlier,” he added.
As Masango noted, “COVID-19 has not only created a bigger need for us to fill, it has also decreased the number of traditional red kettles you’re used to seeing on street corners and at store entrances each Christmas season.”
The Salvation Army could see up to a 50% decrease in red kettle funds this year due to several factors, including consumers carrying less cash and fewer coins, more online shopping, which means less foot traffic in shopping areas, unemployment rates, and the recent closures of some brick-and-mortar retail stores, Masango added.
The Salvation Army’s history of caring for the less fortunate began in England in 1852, when Minister William Booth abandoned the traditional church to take the gospel directly to the people. Walking the streets of London, he preached to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
Within 10 years, his organization, which he founded with his wife, operating under the name “The Christian Mission,” had over 1,000 volunteers and evangelists.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among their first converts to Christianity. And soon, those converts were also preaching and singing in the streets.
When Booth read a printer’s proof of the 1878 “Christian Mission” annual report, he noticed the statement, “The Christian Mission is a volunteer army.” Crossing out the words “volunteer army,” he penned in “Salvation Army.” From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.
Today, The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world and serves in over 100 countries.
In 2019 alone, The Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle provided 8,863 total number of meals, including 645 Thanksgiving dinners served and 720 Christmas food boxes provided.
The Tabernacle also provided 235 clothing vouchers, 1,422 Christmas toys
200 kids received back-to-school supplies for 200 students, and provided prom dresses and suits for 70 local high school girls and boys.
This year’s Salvation Army Red Kettle Breakfast event is open to the public and free. Guests must pre-register for this event for an invitation link for themselves and guests. Guests may register here .
