Considering fewer people seem to carry cash nowadays, the Salvation Army has added technology to accept Apple Pay or Google Pay at the Red Kettles during the upcoming holiday season.
The organization has installed smart chips and QR codes on Red Kettles in Summit County, allowing shoppers to “bump” or scan with their phones to make a digital donation. Shoppers will be directed to a custom donation page that accepts Apple or Google payment options. The funds will then be distributed to the local Salvation Army based on the donor’s billing ZIP code, and an email receipt will be sent directly to their phone.
“We love the generosity of folks who stuff our Red Kettles with jingle money and bills, but so often people do not carry cash,” said Major Steven Stoops, Summit County Area Coordinator and Corps Officer. “We’ve rolled out this new option at the early Kettles in our local Acme stores, and all our Kettle stands will have the chip technology the day after Thanksgiving.”
Green arrows saying “No cash? No problem!” point to the near-field technology chips on the Kettle signs. “Another important way to help, if it is impossible to give money, is to volunteer to ring the bells with a donation of your time,” Stoops added.
To volunteer to ring a bell, call (330) 434-7365 or visit www.salvationarmyakron.org.
