[Report] "We Must Help Each Other" How Hot Will the Salvation Army Charity Kettle Get This Year?

'2021 Salvation Army Charity Kettle Opening Ceremony' at Seoul City Hall Plaza on the 1st... This Year's Fundraising Goal: 13.2 Billion KRW
Fundraising Activities Continue for 93 Years Since Starting in Myeongdong in 1928
Passersby Show Warmth Despite Cold Weather

Around 12 PM on the 1st, a family visiting Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, is donating money to the Salvation Army charity kettle. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "It's a feeling of wanting to help whenever possible. It's the end of the year, after all."

At 11 a.m. on the 1st, the clear sound of the Salvation Army charity kettle bell rang out on Myeongdong Street in Jung-gu, Seoul, signaling the year-end season. Volunteers wearing red padded jackets rang the bell next to the charity kettle, encouraging donations.

On that day, the lowest temperature was minus 3 degrees Celsius. Citizens who came out for lunch crossed the street with their arms folded or their coats tightly buttoned. When asked to a Salvation Army official ringing the bell in front of Myeongdong Cathedral, "It's cold, so not many citizens are coming," he replied, "I've been here since 10 a.m., and only about three people have come so far. It's too cold..."

However, his worries were short-lived as the warmth of the passing citizens began to fill the Salvation Army kettle.

Mr. Ahn, in his 60s, who kept looking around as if searching for a place, found the Salvation Army kettle and reached into his pocket to donate some change. He said, "The amount (donated) is so small that I'm embarrassed to be interviewed," but added, "I donated with the thought that I should help those in need while I still can."

Due to the aftermath of COVID-19 and other factors, prices have been rising daily. Even though people want to share warmth with disadvantaged neighbors during the year-end and New Year holidays, they hesitate realistically. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation's price information system on the 30th, as of the 29th, the retail price of 20 kg of rice was 55,223 won, an 11.85% increase compared to the average price of 49,368 won.

Processed food prices have also been continuously rising. In the first and second quarters, price increases were mainly seen in raw material food companies. Then, in the third and fourth quarters, price hikes continued in processed meat products, snacks, and ramen. Among these, the Bank of Korea raised its consumer price inflation forecast for this year from the previously suggested 2.1% to 2.3%, an increase of 0.2 percentage points. The consumer price inflation rate for next year was projected at 2.0%.

Nevertheless, citizens were thinking of neighbors in even more difficult circumstances despite their own tight household budgets. Office worker No Ho-young (32, Jongno-gu, Seoul) said, "It’s bittersweet to see Myeongdong, which used to be crowded, so empty," adding, "I usually only had the intention to donate, but I thought this time I should help even a little, so I donated a small amount." He continued, "Given the current situation, many people are struggling, and since it’s the middle of winter and the year-end, I hope everyone helps each other with warm hearts during these times."

Another office worker, Jung Chang-gyu (48, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi), also said, "Because of COVID-19, the situation is tough, so I wanted to contribute even a little and thought of children living in hardship," adding, "With Christmas approaching and Omicron emerging, everyone is having a hard time, but I hope we can overcome COVID-19 and these difficulties by sharing our hearts and not giving up."

Children also contributed their warmth with their small hands. Kim Eun-sang, who visited Myeongdong with his family, donated to the kettle with his 5- and 7-year-old children. Kim said, "It’s hard to go outside because of COVID-19, but since it’s the year-end, we came to Myeongdong with the kids for the first time in a while," and added, "Helping those in need will be a good educational experience for the children."

On the morning of the 1st at 11 a.m., the '2021 Salvation Army Charity Kettle Opening Ceremony' was held at Seoul City Hall Plaza. Photo by The Salvation Army Korea Territory

Myeongdong is a meaningful place where the Salvation Army charity kettle street fundraising first began. Since the first fundraising started here on December 15, 1928, fundraising activities have continued for 93 years.

Meanwhile, at 11 a.m. on the same day, the '2021 Salvation Army Charity Kettle Opening Ceremony' was held at Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul. This event declared the start of the Salvation Army charity kettle campaign and announced the fundraising period (December 1 to December 31). Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended and encouraged a culture of sharing.

Mayor Oh said, "The lives of marginalized neighbors have become more impoverished over the past year due to COVID-19, and the hands of donation and volunteering have decreased. I believe now is the time when your love and practice of sharing are desperately needed," urging donations. Salvation Army Commander Jang Man-hee said, "We will work harder than ever to ensure that the sincerity sent toward the charity kettle is not in vain," and asked citizens to join in spreading the culture of sharing.

This year’s charity kettle street fundraising will be conducted nationwide for about a month starting from this day under the theme "The Sound of Hope Ringing on the Streets (Ring Together!)." The Salvation Army has set this year’s fundraising goal at 13.2 billion won (3 billion won from December street fundraising) and plans to extend helping hands first to the places most in need.