Local bell ringers not accepting credit cards, yet

Making a donation at a Lewiston Salvation Army kettle.

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Story Published: Dec 2, 2009 at 12:03 AM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 2, 2009 at 12:03 AM PDT

By Anne Harding

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CLARKSTON - Lights, decorations and the familiar sound of bells ringing when you enter the supermarket.

Christmas is just around the corner and the Salvation Army says the number of people asking for help this year is at an all time national high.

Local Salvation Army Captain Ralph Guthrie said many are in need.

"Whenever people pass a kettle please be as generous as you can," said Guthrie. "It's greatly appreciated and everything that comes into the kettles goes back out into the community."

In some places bell ringers are now taking credit or debit cards, right at their kettles. Guthrie said the technology is mainly in the big cities and will take a while to reach the Valley. But he said he thinks it will be an improvement to the cash and coin system they use now.

"I think the donations would increase mainly because the fear of theft and that is something that we go through each year with the kettles," said Guthrie. "As time are harder that fear is always there. I think having machines to use credit cards would bring in even more donations."

And although the economy might not be great and local kettles might not be high-tech, Guthrie said people are filling them generously.

Bell ringers can be found at Walmart, Albertson’s, Shopko, Kmart and Rosauers . You can also mail or bring in donations to the Salvation Army.

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