After asking for suggestions on Facebook, the Springfield Salvation Army decided Winans Chocolates & Coffees on North Fountain Avenue in downtown Springfield would be the perfect host.
“Winans has been a great partner of ours for a few years now and they are very involved with the enrichment of the community and they care about those in need,” Ray said. “That’s obviously where our heart is. It felt like the right marriage for us.”
Chandi Shah, owner of Winans located at 32 N.Fountain Ave., said she was “so astonished” that someone had recommended her business to the Springfield Salvation Army.
“We try to do everything we can with the Salvation Army,” Shah said. “I always have tried to support organizations that can reach a broad spectrum of people, rather than a small piece of the community. They do such awesome things.”
Recently, Winans has participated in the Salvation Army’s dodge ball tournament, toy drive and National Salvation Army Week.
Ray explained that the Gold Kettle will sit near the cash register at Winans for customers to donate to year round.
When the Gold Kettle was located at Collier’s Family Restaurant, Ray said he would empty the kettle at least once a month because it was full of coins and $5 and $20 bills. He added that each month there would be between $120 and $150 in the kettle.
Collier’s Family Restaurant closed in early April amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page said, “Times are always tough for mom and pop businesses, but this month and a half (at least) shutdown has just done us in.”
The money donated to the kettle will go to the Springfield Salvation Army’s social services which includes food and rent assistance, emergency housing and other things like that, Ray said.
Shah said that the Gold Kettle already has a significant amount of coins in it.
“I have no doubt that the Springfield community will come together because they always do,” Shah said.
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