Locals top red kettle donations

The bells have been ringing again outside local businesses for the Salvation Army and people are stepping up to their call, especially in Bigfork, according to the local branch of the organization.

Earl Houtz, business administrator for the Salvation Army, said the kettle at Harvest Foods was fourth last year in the value for donations per hour. So far this year it's second.

Houtz attributes this to a difference he's noticed in Bigfork patrons.

"I'm always bragging about Bigfork," Houtz said. "The degree of friendliness of people in Bigfork is incredible."

When he has rang the bell in Bigfork, Houtz said he has seen this play out in the form of bills rather than change placed in the kettle.

Right now the amount brought in throughout the Valley is at 6.3 percent more than last year.

Houtz expects to see close to $90,000 by the end of the campaign, but he says it should be more, if the Salvation Army can find ways to tap the volunteer communities more.

"We have just not been developing Bigfork like we've wanted to," Houtz said. "The volunteers are there – people want to help. We just need to be a little more aggressive."

Part of this is coordination and that's what the local Salvation Army plans to focus on next year by having a coordinator work year-round on the kettle project to try to get an all-volunteer force at its Valley locations. Bigfork is one of the first places they plan to work to develop a volunteer base in a three-year plan.

"We need to grab hold of that generosity," Houtz said. "I'm excited about all of the potential."

Right now, the Salvation Army has paid staff manning the kettles at times, which takes away about 10 percent of the overall profit.

The Salvation Army has been ringing bells in its annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign at Harvest Foods Bigfork for more than 10 years. The campaign raises money toward holiday dinners for those in need nationwide.