The Texas County Salvation Army holiday red kettle campaign exceeded expectations this year and raised $20,639, surpassing a goal set at $17,000.
“This could not have been done without our volunteers and the generous donors,” Texas County Food Pantry Director Bennie Cook said.
Eighty-five percent of the money raised will stay in Texas County to help individuals in need.
Kettles were in Houston, Licking, Cabool, Raymondville, Roby, Evening Shade, Plato and Summersville. Churches, youth groups and organizations whose representatives helped ring the bell in Houston this year included Northside Baptist Church, Houston United Methodist (and its youth group SHIFT), Faith Fellowship, Peace Chapel, Cornerstone Christian, Undivided Hearts, First Christian Church of Houston, Church of Latter day Saints, Miss Merrie Christmas contestants, Texas County Memorial Hospital, Landmark Bank – Houston, Progressive Ozark Bank – Houston, State Farm – Houston, 2013 Miss Texas County Outstanding Teen, Houston Girls Scouts and the Houston Lions Club. Several individuals across the county also contributed to the success of the kettle campaign.
Last year’s kettle campaign in the county raised close to $19,000. Cook said that out of that total, funds used by the pantry to aid local citizens included approximately $8,600 for rent and utility assistance, $3,000 for lodging, transportation and meals and $4,400 for health and other needs.
For more information about the Texas County Salvation Army Extension Unit, call the food pantry at 417-967-4484 or email Cook at tcfpdirector@centurytel.net