Ben Pifher/MDN Lt. Trevor Reed, of the Minot Salvation Army, gives a speech to mark the kickoff of the 2024 season of collections for the Salvation Army at Dakota Square Mall in Minot on Monday.

A small group gathered at Dakota Square Mall on Monday to celebrate the 2024 Red Kettle Kickoff with Lts. Trevor and Julie Reed of the Minot Salvation Army.

Standing near a Christmas tree, Trevor Reed gave a short speech calling to mind a reflection on the upcoming holiday season and explaining that funds the Salvation Army receives will be used to help offset the costs of rent and utilities for those in need.

“It’s easy to look around us and see that a lot of people are in need,” said Trevor Reed, explaining that community partners of the Salvation Army help make their mission possible through donations of money and goods.

Bell ringing officially started according to Trevor Reed, who said Monday’s kickoff was intended to spread awareness of the bellringers.

The goal for this season is $70,000, gathered from eight locations around Minot, and the thing most needed now is bellringers, Julie Reed said.

She said the money raised in the holiday kettle funds the church through the whole year, allowing them to handle operating costs, as well as providing for those in need.

The organization has the goal of 1,000 hours of bell ringing for the season. Currently, 534 people have signed up.

Each person signed up can expect to raise between $80-100 for the charity for each hour they volunteer to ring the bell, Trevor Reed said.

“Tap to pay” for those who don’t carry cash is available at the mall’s location, as well as another site to be determined in Minot this season.