The Salvation Army has wrapped up its Red Kettle campaign, but the organization says the need continues year round. The organization is urging people to donate Tuesday to get a tax write-off for 2024.
Across Texas, the Salvation Army says it served 56 million meals this year. In the Metroplex, the organization says 830,000 people are living in poverty.
"I don't think people understand the magnitude of poverty in such a wealthy part of the country, but it is real and it is right here in our hometown," says Major Marion Durham.
Durham says 700,000 people in North Texas are considered "food insecure," including 286,000 children.
"They don't know if they're going to eat the next day," she says. "They don't know if they're going to have food for their children at the end of the month. When you give to the Salvation Army, what you give stays in this community."
Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth volunteered during the Red Kettle campaign at Golden Triangle Mall. He says he hopes people will remember the Salvation Army's mission continues outside the holidays.
"It's a reminder the need is present," he says. "In this environment, I think it's really good to focus on that local effect, helping your neighbor."
The Salvation Army says a $10 donation can pay for two bags of groceries, $25 can provide school supplies for kids in youth programs, $50 can pay for two nights in a shelter, $100 can provide hot meals for five seniors, and $200 can provide food for eight families at food pantries.
More information is available at SalvationArmyNTX.org/North-Texas/WaysToGive/.
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