Tradition and tech meet at Saskatoon’s Salvation Army kettles

As Christmas draws closer, the familiar ring of bells at red kettles in Saskatoon is joined by something far less traditional: a small moment of light, a quick tap and generosity moving with the times.

For Capt. Derek Kerr with The Salvation Army, it’s one example of how generosity continues to evolve and why that evolution matters now more than ever.

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“Most people don’t carry cash,” Kerr said in an interview on the CKOM Greg Morgan Morning Show.

Listen here for the interview:

“You can tap with your bank card, your credit card or even your Apple Pay. So the days of having to carry cash to the kettle are gone.” While cash and cheques are still welcome, he added, “this makes things a lot easier for us.”

That convenience has become critical at a time when many families are struggling just to get by.

“So many of our residents here in Saskatoon are struggling to make ends meet due to inflation and the rising cost of food and groceries,” Kerr explained. “Every little bit helps that’s put in the kettle and we just appreciate it so much.”

The addition of tip-tap technology to Salvation Army kettles started as a small experiment, but has quietly become a lifeline.

“The first year we had the tip-tap units, we did just a few thousand dollars,” Kerr said. “Each year we’ve seen that progress, and I think last year here in Saskatoon we were able to collect an extra $27,000 in tip-tap donations.”

He noted that those additional dollars help offset a difficult reality. “We’ve seen a decline in generosity… We’re not the only charity that’s seen a decline.”

Still, the kettles keep ringing, sometimes even when no one is standing beside them.

“We have volunteers at the kettles, but we also have the units fastened to the kettle stand,” Kerr said. “A lot of times the bag might be over the bubble and there’s no volunteer there, but the lights are still green on the unit and people can still tip-tap.”

Behind every kettle, though, are people giving more than money.

“We are so grateful for our volunteers. Saskatoon is such a great city,” Kerr said. “A lot of people enjoy it. Some people, this is their major time that they volunteer in the year.”

In a season defined by giving, Kerr says that spirit is still very much alive — one tap, one volunteer shift and one small act of kindness at a time.