SANDPOINT — With the approaching holiday season, the kettle bells will soon be ringing in an effort to help local families and individuals in need.

“All of the money that we get from the Salvation Army stays in Bonner County,” said Glenna Roberts, local coordinator for the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.

This year’s campaign kicks off the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, at Super 1 Foods and Yoke’s. It will resume on Friday, Nov. 29 at both stores, as well as Walmart and Safeway. The campaign will continue through Christmas Eve and volunteers who are willing to take shifts are needed for the season.

Volunteers typically take two-hour shifts on Fridays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. However, people can volunteer any time or day they have available.

Groups, such as service clubs, banks or churches are encouraged to sign up, because they can sometimes take an entire day in shifts. Individuals are, of course, welcome to volunteer as well, even if it is only for an hour or two. The equipment is located at the store and volunteers are not required to count donations or solicit.

The donations help local individuals and families with food, gas, utilities, rent, prescriptions, clothing and lodging. Backpacks are provided to local schools each year as well, Roberts said. The Salvation Army also sends area children from low-income families to its summer camp, Camp Gifford, near Spokane each year using some of the donations. One highlight from this past year, Roberts said, was the approximately 285 shoe vouchers provided to children throughout the year.

“We assist people with the other vouchers, but we wanted to go above and beyond because we have such a generous town,” Roberts said, adding they hope to have some money for boot vouchers this year as well.

Vouchers are disbursed through the Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene. For voucher information or hours, call the church at 208-263-2562. Those who would like to volunteer to ring the bell can call Glenna Roberts at 208-263-8598.

The annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign started in San Francisco in 1891 by one man — Capt. Joseph McFee. He made a commitment to feed 1,000 of the city’s poorest individuals on Christmas Day. During his travels, McFee had seen an iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” at Stage Landing in Liverpool, England, where people would toss in coins to help the poor.

After placing a similar kettle at the Oakland Ferry Landing on San Francisco Bay with a sign that said, “Keep the Pot Boiling,” McFee was able to fulfill his commitment to those in need. Since then, the campaign has grown across the country and the world.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.