Salvation Army plans kettle checks after thefts

Published On: Nov 27 2012 06:38:55 AM CST   Updated On: Nov 27 2012 06:38:00 AM CST
Kettle bell ringing charity
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -

The Salvation Army will begin unscheduled checks of busy kettle locations in the Des Moines area after the theft of two kettles.

One kettle was stolen Nov. 16 from a Des Moines Hy-Vee store and the other was taken Friday from a West Des Moines Wal-Mart.

The Des Moines Register reports that in response, the Salvation Army will make random checks to ensure paid bell-ringers and volunteers are watching over kettles.
Salvation Army spokesman Arvid Huisman says someone should have been staffing the Wal-Mart kettle when it was stolen. The other kettle was stolen overnight.

Besides money in the kettles, each container and stand cost more than $160 to replace.

The Salvation Army in Des Moines relies on kettle donations for about 40 percent of its holiday revenue.

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