By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Each year during the holidays, volunteers stand outside area businesses to ring a bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign as passers-by contribute money. Now, in the time it takes to scroll through Instagram or other social media platforms, anyone with a smartphone can make a donation to the campaign without cash.

The organization will use smart chips and QR codes on Red Kettle signs that allow shoppers to simply “bump” or scan their phones to make a digital donation, said Maj. Karl Dahlin, of the Rowan County area Salvation Army. A QR or Quick Response code is a custom image that when scanned with a smartphone camera immediately populates a specific website.

The donation will be made through Apple or Google Pay, which, once scanned, will direct donors to a custom donation page. The money will then be distributed to the local Salvation Army based on the donor’s billing ZIP code. Donors will receive a receipt through email.

“Kettle Pay makes it even easier for donors to join the Salvation Army’s fight for good,” Dahlin said.

Dahlin said that society is moving every closer to a cashless system.

“We rely on electronic payments for so much these days. It gets harder to fill the iconic red kettle,” he said. “So, this new payment option is so easy and convenient. It provides an opportunity for people to fight for those in our community who are experiencing poverty by raising money for programs that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and provide Christmas gifts for families in need.”

Now in its 129th year, Red Kettle is one of the oldest and largest charitable campaigns in the world. Each holiday season, the campaign raises millions of dollars across the country to provide vital programs and services throughout the year.

Donations are accepted at Red Kettles on street corners and in front of stores in Salisbury, online via salvationarmycarolinas.org/salisbury or by calling 800-SAL-ARMY.

For more information about the Red Kettle Campaign or any other Salvation Army program, call 704-636-6491.