On the first weekend snow started to fall, red kettles have also begun making an appearance at locations around southeast Michigan.

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit officially launched its 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign with a goal to raise $7.1 million across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

The donations go toward helping families and seniors have food, a warm place to sleep, toys under the Christmas tree and other care throughout the year.

According to a press release from The Salvation Army, nearly 70% of Detroit households experience food insecurity and more than 1,700 people in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park are unhoused, which is a 16% increase from last year.

“For many families, the holidays bring tough choices – between keeping the heat on or putting food on the table,” said Major Dawn Worthy, metro Detroit area commander for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division. “When our community comes together and gives with joy, those worries can be replaced with warmth, nourishment and hope. Every dollar dropped in a red kettle, every gift under an Angel Tree and every act of kindness helps remind our neighbors that they are not forgotten, and love still shines brightest at Christmas.”

The red kettles started appearing outside of metro Detroit storefronts Nov. 7 and will stay there every day except Sundays until Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). The Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers. Those interested can sign up at RegisterToRing.com.

By Black Friday (Nov. 28), kettles can be found at Kroger, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Bass Pro Shops, Busch’s, Emagine Theatres, JCPenney, Hobby Lobby, Hollywood Market, Rite Aid, Spartan Nash, Walgreens and other participating retailers.

Last year, funds raised through the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign helped provide nearly 6,800 meals each day, more than 1,100 nights of shelter to individuals and families and more than 10,000 gift cards to help households purchase holiday meals.

Standing 56-feet-tall and illuminated by 26,000 LED lights, the world’s tallest red kettle will be lit at 6 p.m. Nov. 21, during the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cadillac Square.

The Salvation Army will also host an Angel Tree kickoff event with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester.

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program ensures that every child receives a gift on Christmas morning. Anonymous donors can “adopt” an angel online at SAMetroDetroit.org/AngelTree to purchase gifts for children in their local community. Donors can shop online and have items shipped directly to their local Salvation Army, or drop gifts at participating Walmart locations beginning Nov. 15.

Those who prefer an in-person experience can select a tag from a physical Angel Tree located at participating Walmart locations or Salvation Army corps community centers. Each tag lists a child’s age, gender and wish list.

Last year, The Salvation Army provided more than 73,000 toys and gifts to local children and shut-in seniors.