KNOXVILLE, TENN. - December 6, 2011 - The Salvation Army's Red Kettles and bell ringers have been a part of America's Christmas since 1891. Money donated to the kettles helps provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless and safety for women and children who are victims of abuse. This year, the Knoxville Area Command is using "QR" codes to make donating as simple as ever.
"We've found that people are more likely to have a smart phone in their pocket than loose change," says Knoxville Area Commander Major Don Vick. "In an age where credit and debit cards are primary means of spending, we've had to experiment with alternative ways for those without cash or change on them to make a donation to the kettles and we feel the QR code is the best option at this point"
Previous Red Kettle campaigns included mobile credit card machines and "text-to-give" options for donors. The QR codes not only provide donors with a convenient means to make a donation via credit card but it also gives them an opportunity to follow The Salvation Army on social media, sign up for newsletters and more.
"The technology is real simple," explains Jim Caughhorn, Vice President of Graphic Creations, Inc. "The QR code is something you scan with your smart phone that enables people to access information formatted for the phone's small screen. Research shows that 58 percent of people with a smart phone have scanned at least one QR code since getting their phone."
The Knoxville Area Command has nine kettle locations in West Knoxville utilizing QR codes.
For more information on the Red Kettle Campaign, call (865) 525-9401.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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