Doug Sprankle of Sprankle's Neighborhood Market advances a finished Salvation Army Thanksgiving food box Thursday at his grocery store in Saxonburg.

In addition to helping with the fresh food box program being carried out by the Saxonburg Service Unit of the Salvation Army, Sprankle's Neighborhood Market may allow the program to continue.

Karen Boltz said the service unit used to raise about $12,000 or $13,000 each year during the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, when volunteers rang the bell during the holiday season at the location's former store, Friedman's Freshmarkets.

When Friedman's closed, the unit earned only $5,000 to $6,000 ringing the bell at one other location.

Last Christmas, even though COVID-19-related volunteer scarcity only allowed the Salvation Army bell to ring at Sprankle's for half of the normal number of hours, the service unit raised $22,000.

Because the new food box program is currently being funded through a generous anonymous donation, Boltz hopes the Red Kettle program builds up the service unit's coffers.

“We are hoping to raise a lot, so we can continue this food box program,” Boltz said.

She said the kettle is only out when a volunteer is available to ring the bell.

Volunteers are welcome to bring their children to their shift, which Boltz said is a positive educational experience for children.

Those who would like to volunteer to ring the bell at Sprankle's this season in the Red Kettle Campaign can call Boltz at 724-816-0522.