Salvation Army Red Kettle Season to Begin Nov. 13
Donations open at Fred Meyer in South Medford as local sponsors offer up to $25,000 in matching gifts this holiday season.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Do you plan to donate to the Salvation Army this holiday season?
The Salvation Army will begin its 2026 Red Kettle season on November 13 at the Fred Meyer in South Medford, with donations accepted daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Up to $25,000 in matching gifts from multiple local sponsors is available during the campaign.
Why it matters
The Salvation Army reports that the number of people needing help doubled over the past year, making this year's fundraising campaign especially significant for Medford-area families. Sponsor matches are designed to stretch each donated dollar further.
Sponsors will add $4 for every $1 donated, up to $25,000 in total matching gifts, at a minimum of 20 kettle locations across the county. The total amount raised and how much of the match will be used remain undetermined until the campaign concludes.
The players
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international Christian charity known for its red kettle fundraising campaigns and social service programs during the holiday season.
The details
Donors can give in person at the red kettles or scan a QR code on the kettles to donate digitally. Funds will support Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas angel trees, and the family service center. Volunteers interested in ringing bells can register at salvationarmyusa.org/volunteer.
Timeline
November 13, 2026: Red Kettle season officially begins at Fred Meyer in South Medford.
November 13, 2026 onward: Daily donation window runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at kettle locations.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 Medford campaign follows the annual Red Kettle pattern that the Salvation Army has run for decades, with the new element being a reported doubling in people needing assistance. That increase signals the program is operating under greater pressure than in typical years.
Residents can give cash or scan the QR code on any kettle to donate digitally, and sponsor matching means each donated dollar is worth up to $5 in total impact. Those interested in volunteering can register at salvationarmyusa.org/volunteer to ring bells during the campaign.
The takeaway
Matching gifts mean that every dollar given at a red kettle this season is multiplied, which matters most when local need has grown. Giving in person or by QR code makes it easy to contribute during the campaign's daily hours.
What happens next
The Red Kettle season begins November 13, 2026, with daily donation hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at participating kettle locations across the county.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in the Philanthropy section.
More information
Register as a volunteer bell ringer through the Salvation Army bell ringer volunteer registration page.
Live Poll
Do you plan to donate to the Salvation Army this holiday season?
