Before the Pike County Salvation Army brings out the Red Kettles in the fall, it fires up the iron pots in readiness for its annual Fall Camp Stew Sale.

Kim May, Pike County Salvation Army director, said the Salvation Army’s camp stew sale is an early effort to raise funds to provide resources for those in need during winter months.

“The need seems to always be greater during the cold months,” she said. “There’s more sickness and there’s usually an increase in utility bills and, too, there’s the financial stress of the holidays. A lot of people live on fixed incomes and these things hit them hard. The Fall Camp Stew Sale helps us meet those needs early on.”

The camp stew sale is underway and is sold by the quart for $10 each.

“We are not selling tickets; we are taking orders,” May said. “Taking orders has worked well for us in the past. People seem to like doing it that way.”

Orders may be placed by calling 334-808-1069 or 268-2553 and 672-4481. Orders may also be placed and paid at the Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store at 509 South Brundidge Street in Troy.

The Salvation Army’s popular camp stew will be ready for pickup beginning at noon on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Salvation Army Service Center.

The next campaign on the Pike County Salvation Army’s agenda is the Red Kettle Campaign.

May said although the Red Kettle campaign won’t officially kickoff until Nov. 25, Black Friday, sponsors are being sought for the annual fundraiser.

“We are encouraging supporters of the Salvation Army to be kettle sponsors for our Red Kettle Campaign,” May said. “Sponsorships are $500 and each sponsor’s name will be on a sign at the kettle site. The sponsorships are important to our fundraising campaign and are great advertising for our sponsors.”

As always, volunteers are needed to ring bells at seven locations in Pike County.

“Salvation Army bell ringers are a part of the Christmas tradition and they provide a great service for those in need,” May said. “And, being bell ringers makes Christmas more meaningful for many of our volunteer ringers.”

May said bell ringers may designate the days and times they are available.

Each ringer is asked to ring for two hours if possible.

“We welcome churches, clubs and other groups that would like to reserve a block of time to ring,” May said. “We invite everyone be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army this Christmas season.”