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Salvation Army's "Red Kettle"

From press release

CHICAGO—Total Living Network (TLN) and Comcast are partnering with The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division to provide holiday food baskets and gifts to people in need.

Faith-based TLN and Chicagoland’s largest cable provider, Comcast, are launching media campaigns asking viewers to “Please Don’t Forget” the less fortunate this holiday season, and soliciting donations for The Salvation Army’s holiday outreach to the needy.

Because of efficiencies, such as purchasing food and gifts in bulk and having some food and gifts donated, The Salvation Army can provide a traditional holiday dinner and gifts for a family of four for $60.

“We are very grateful to Total Living Network and Comcast for making The Salvation Army the beneficiary of their 2009 holiday campaign,” said Lt. Colonel David E. Grindle, divisional commander, Metropolitan Division.

“With their assistance, we will be able to provide many more individuals and families with Christmas food baskets and gifts for children this year.”

The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking assistance with paying rent, mortgages, and utility bills, and especially with obtaining groceries. Even some people who never before asked for assistance and who, in fact, were donors until recently, now are turning to The Salvation Army food pantries for groceries.

“I have often wondered if William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, could have envisioned the profound impact the organization would have around the world,” said TLN CEO/President Jerry Rose. “Millions of people have been blessed in one way or another by the ministry of The Salvation Army. That includes my in-laws, who lost nearly everything when a hurricane flooded their home and The Salvation Army stepped in to provide assistance. We are honored to work with an organization with their kind of compassionate vision to help people.”

While the stock market has begun to rebound, the September Illinois jobless rate of 10.5 percent is the highest in 24 years, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. And as long as unemployment remains high, The Salvation Army knows Illinoisans will continue turning in record numbers to the Army for all types of assistance.

“We are proud to partner with The Salvation Army during its busiest season,” said LeAnn Talbot, senior vice president for Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region. “While almost everyone is familiar with The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, our collaboration with TLN will help bring The Salvation Army’s appeal for support this holiday season to millions of Comcast and TLN viewers.”

For more information about The Salvation Army’s programs and services to people in need, go to www.salarmychicago.org ^[2].