The Portsmouth Chapter of the Salvation Army kicked off its annual Kettle Campaign on Friday at the Portsmouth Kroger.

Attending the campaign kickoff were members of the community, representatives from the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Portsmouth Police Department and other agencies.

“We are trying to raise $55,000 between now and Christmas Eve, to help out the people in our community,” said Mark Ferreira, Corps Officer for the Portsmouth Salvation Army. “We are seeing more and more people come to us for help. Some of the people have never had to ask for assistance before, because they do not know where else to turn.”

Ferreira said the Salvation Army depends on the money they raise during the holidays to keep there services going all year.

“We are helping over 300 families this Christmas season. Each week, we help an average of 260 individuals through our food pantry. Each month, we give out well over 2,000 articles of clothing to people who are in need,” Ferreira said.

Ferreira said that through activities such as the Kettle Campaign the Salvation Army is able to maintain services all year long.

Locations of the Kettle Campaign include the Kroger stores in Portsmouth and Wheelersburg, Walmart, Kmart, Westside IGA, Blackburns and Big Lots in Portsmouth and Wheelersburg.