Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed This Holiday Season Amid Covid Shortage

With just less than two weeks before Christmas, bell ringers are still needed to collect money.
In another sign of the times, the Salvation Army is now in need of bell ringers this holiday season amid a shortage of volunteers brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, CBS News reported.
Each year, outside shopping malls, department stores, strip malls, some folks dressed as Santa Claus or just in festive attire ring a bell next to a bright red bucket asking for loose change, dollar bills, whatever anyone can spare to donate to the Salvation Army.
However, a shortage of bell ringers is leaving 20,000 hours unfilled, CBS Minnesota reports.
Salvation Army Marketing Manager Angel Fields Mitchell told CBS Minnesota it has been an ongoing problem since the pandemic.
“There aren’t as many people that are signing up to bell ring, but I’ve got to say it is one of the safest volunteer opportunities that are out there,” Fields Mitchell said. “You can mask up, it’s a contactless, volunteer experience.”
Despite a slow-down in bell ringers, Fields Mitchell did say that they have seen an uptick in online donations.
“All of the donations go to be able to provide food, shelter and care right here in our local communities,” Fields Mitchell told CBS Minnesota.
Bell ringers collect money between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and help almost 25 million people every year, WINK reported.
Related Stories
Trending on Inside Edition

Chris Watts Murder Investigation: FBI File Reveals How Agents Discovered Bodies of His Wife and 2 Daughters
Crime
Washington Winery Wants Answers as to Who Drained Thousands of Gallons of Wine Estimated at Over $600K
Offbeat
Golden Bachelor' Scandal: Gerry Turner Dumped Ex After 10lb. Weight Gain, Forced Her to Move to Motel: Report
Entertainment
Graphic Crime Scene Photos Released in Murder Case of 13-Year-Old Accused of Stabbing to Death Mom
Crime
Ohio Man on His Deathbed Reveals to Wife and Daughter He Was a Fugitive Who Robbed a Bank
Human Interest
Florida Woman, 22, Posed as Teen and Sexually Assaulted Minor 30 Times, Sent Classmates His Sex Tape: Police
Crime