They are a familiar sight for Holiday shoppers all over, and once again this year the Salvation Army’s famous “red kettle” collection buckets will be collecting money for those in need this Christmas season.

The Salvation Army in Rome serves Chattooga, Floyd and Polk Counties and the “red kettle” collections started this past Friday at Walmart in Trion.  Next month, another collection site will be added at Ingles Supermarket in Summerville, in addition to the one at Wal-Mart.  Both sites will collect donations until Christmas Eve.

You can donate something besides change and cash.  “We don’t only take cash anymore,” said Capt. Paula Blevins of the Rome Salvation Army. “You can donate electronically via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo and Paypal using a QR code at each location.”  Also, you don’t have to go to Walmart or Ingles to donate, you can also donate online at: southernusa.salvationarmy.org.

The Red Kettle idea started in San Francisco in 1891 by Salvation Army Officer Capt. Joseph McFee, when he wanted to pay for a free Christmas dinner for the poor. He asked for, and received permission to place an old crab pot on a tripod at a ferry landing in Oakland, California. People would drop in coins to pay for the meal, with McFee’s voice calling out “Keep the pot boiling!”