 History of the Kettles
In 1891, a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco resolved to provide
a free Christmas dinner to the area’s poor. But how would he pay
for the food? From his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, the captain
remembered a large pot, displayed on the Stage Landing called "Simpson's
Pot" where passersby would toss charitable donations. The captain
presented his idea to city authorities and received permission to place
a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing at the foot of San Francisco's
Market Place.
In its conspicuous position, the pot drew the attention of people going
to and from the ferryboats. Another urn, in the ferryboat waiting
room also attracted donations. Thus Captain Joseph McFee launched
a tradition that spread throughout the United States and then around the
world.
By Christmas 1895, thirty Salvation Army corps in the West Coast area
used the kettle. That year, The Sacramento Bee published a description
of the Army's Christmas activities and mentioned the contributions.
Two young Salvation Army officers, William A. McIntyre and N.J. Lewis,
instrumental in the original use of the kettle, took the idea to the East
Coast.
In 1897, McIntyre prepared his Christmas plans for Boston around the
kettle. Other Army officers did not want to participate for fear
of "making spectacles of themselves". Nevertheless, McIntyre,
with his wife and sister, set up three kettles on Washington Street in
the heart of the city. That year, the kettle effort in Boston and
other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the
needy.
In 1898, The New York World hailed The Salvation Army kettles as "the
newest and most novel device for collecting money". The newspaper
also observed, "There is a man in charge to see that contributions
are not stolen."
IN 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the
first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that
continued for many years. Today families are often given grocery
checks or food baskets so they can prepare dinners at home. The
homeless poor are still invited to share holiday dinners and festivities
at hundreds of Salvation Army centers.
Kettles are now used around the world, including Korea, Japan, Chile
and Europe. Everywhere public contributions to the kettles enable
The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to people who would
otherwise be forgotten - the aged and lonely, ill, poor and disadvantaged,
or inmates of jails and other institutions.
In the United States, The Salvation Army annually aids more than 6 million
people at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kettles have changed since
that first utilitarian cauldron in San Francisco. Today some kettles
have such devices as a self-ringing bell, a booth with a system that broadcasts
Christmas carols, even the capability for donors to use credit cards.
Whatever the innovation, though, the same message "Sharing is Caring"
- still supports this timeless, enduring program.
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The Salvation Army serves people in need without discrimination. By putting money to maximum use, The Army provides services, programs and ministries that produce measurable, life-enhancing results.
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