Bells started ringing outside the Kroger Marketplace on Saturday, signaling the start of the Salvation Army Suffolk’s 2015 Red Kettle Campaign.

Between now and Christmas Eve, Salvation Army bell ringers will greet shoppers outside Kroger, Farm Fresh and several Walgreens and ABC stores in Suffolk, Franklin and Isle of Wight County. Salvation Army Suffolk’s goal for this year is $84,000, up from $64,000 in 2014.

Although Suffolk receives limited funding from other sources throughout the year, the Red Kettle Campaign is the Suffolk organization’s primary fundraiser, said Salvation Army Suffolk Lt. Johnny Anthony. The army’s annual budget is built around the holiday fund drive, largely shaping what services and programs are available for Suffolk’s needy population.

Pushing a packed grocery cart out of Kroger, Valerie Davis of Chesapeake dropped a couple of bills into the kettle.

“I just spent a lot of money in there on groceries,” Davis said, nodding toward her cart. “If I have plenty, then I should share. I hate to think that there are people who may be going hungry.”

Shopper Rhonda Johnson of Hampton agreed.

“Every time I see the Salvation Army, I look for an opportunity to give,” she said.

Giving to the Salvation Army is a holiday tradition for some people, Anthony said.

“Everyone looks forward to this,” Anthony said. “Christmas is not Christmas unless you hear the bell ringing.”

During his years of service, Anthony has seen children empty their piggy banks to donate spare change they had collected all year for that specific purpose. Other times, volunteer bell ringers have brought their child and put them to work, instilling in them the importance of giving back to the community.

But the Salvation Army is keeping up with the times too, Anthony said. Since few people carry cash today, people can use their mobile devices to scan a QR code on the back on every Red Kettle sign. The QR code will take users directly to Salvation Army Suffolk’s website, where people can make contributions by credit card.

With cold weather expected in the weeks ahead, the demand for Salvation Army Suffolk’s services will increase, Anthony said.

The organization feeds 80-100 people between noon and 1 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays and provides breakfast for its congregation on Sundays, he said. The feedings are at the Salvation Army building at 400 Bank St., in downtown Suffolk.

The organization’s energy assistance program is also tapped frequently in Suffolk, he said.

The Suffolk News-Herald’s Cheer Fund also helps the Toys for Tots program, which is coordinated locally by the Salvation Army.

To donate to the Cheer Fund, send a check to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 or bring it to our office, 130 S. Saratoga St., from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We will list your donation in the newspaper, but it can be marked “anonymous” if you like. Donations may be made in honor of or in memory of someone. If you bring the check to our office, we’ll even take your picture as you hand it to one of our staff.

For more information on the Cheer Fund, call 934-9616.