The season of giving is upon us, and an organization committed to giving back to the community is asking you to give what you can this holiday season.

The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle campaign this weekend, and Capt. Srikant Bhatnagar said the organization needs to raise sufficient funds in order to keep its doors open and provide to the community for all of 2016.

“Red Kettle campaign is the biggest campaign we have in Vicksburg and in the whole Salvation Army,” he said. “This money helps us all year long. It’s very important that we raise enough money to support ourselves year round.”

Before Thanksgiving, people will be ringing bells at Corner Market, Walgreens, Kroger, the Outlets at Vicksburg, Vicksburg Mall and Big Lots among other locations, Bhatnagar said. After Thanksgiving there will only be people ringing bells at Walmart.

The campaign traces back to 1891 when Salvation Army Capt. Joseph McFee decided to host a Christmas dinner for the poor living in San Francisco. The captain faced a familiar problem, financing the endeavor.

McFee had been a sailor in England, and he remembered a large, iron kettle called Simpon’s Pot, into which passers-by gave money to help the poor.

Inspired, the captain placed a similar pot in San Francisco with a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money he needed to insure the needy were properly fed at Christmas.

Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than 4.5 million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods, according to the Salvation Army’s website.

Captain McFee’s kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but all across the world. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, Chile and many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

Funds raised by the Salvation Army in Vicksburg now go to much more than feeding those in need, which they do through their food pantry and the Mission 66 diner. The funds also promote programs such as rent and utility assistance, a summer soccer camp, a residential summer camp, a robotics club, assistance with school supplies and the Angel Tree program.

Individuals and organizations interested in helping with the Red Kettle campaign can call the Salvation Army at 601-636-2701 to sign up.

To donate to the Salvation Army send a check to 530 Mission 66, Vicksburg, MS 39183, or to make a donation online, visit www.salvationarmyalm.org/vicksburg.

The Salvation Army also accepts donations of clothing, shoes and furniture to sell in its thrift store. Old, unusable clothing goes into bales, which the Salvation Army is able to sell as well.