The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Salvation Army are teaming up during BART’s seasonal Red Kettle Campaign with their new initiative “Partners for Change” to provide donated funds and paper BART tickets from BART riders, which will help pay for supportive services for those who seek shelter inside BART stations and on-board trains.
The partnership started Dec. 3 and coincides with the Army’s kettle campaign timeframe, which runs from Nov. 22 through Dec. 24.
“Our riders have expressed concerns and a willingness to help those experiencing homelessness in our stations and this partnership brings the community together to connect people to beds, supportive services and treatment centers,” said BART Board President Bevan Dufty. “The Salvation Army is uniquely qualified to help the homeless in the Greater Bay Area and we are glad to be working with them together to continue to address this crisis. Our various fare machines are also notorious for giving change in all coins. The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle is a perfect place to off load a pocket full of change and unused paper tickets.”
How it Works
The Salvation Army will position the red kettles in the free area of BART stations during the holiday season and collect donations from BART riders. BART will post signs inside stations near the vending machines that give change to encourage riders to donate to help the unhoused who seek shelter at BART. Riders can also donate their paper BART tickets with remaining fare, which will be refunded for cash value. BART has been phasing out paper tickets in favor of Clipper cards.
All donated funds will be used locally. For example, donations collected in San Francisco will go towards services and resources in San Francisco, while donations collected in the East Bay will stay in the East Bay.
The Salvation Army will then work together with BART’s Crisis Intervention Coordinator and homeless outreach teams on distribution of funds for supportive housing, substance abuse treatment, case management, blankets, socks, care packages and other services for unhoused individuals spending their time at BART.
To donate online, the Salvation Army has set up BARTRedKettles.org. Donations will be tracked to determine how much money is raised in the BART system and at each station. BART and the Salvation Army are seeking corporate matches as part of the campaign.
“The Salvation Army is thankful to have a partner in BART to help address this issue of homelessness,” said Major Ivan Wild, divisional commander for the Salvation Army's Del Oro Division, based in the East Bay. “BART sees and supports our efforts to meet human needs without discrimination. We hope riders will do the same and dig deep into their hearts and their pockets to make a positive change across the bay area. Only together can we do the most good.”
