The Pike County Salvation Army finished one fundraising event and jumped right into another.

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign for 2016 met its goal but came short of last year’s kettle campaign. That shortfall will hopefully be made up to some degree with the non-profit organization’s camp stew sale on Thursday, Jan. 28.

Kim May, director of the local Salvation Army, said camp stew sales in the past have been especially good and she attributes that to Carter Sander’s famous camp stew recipe.

“We don’t know what Carter’s secret ingredient is. We just know that his camp stew is extra good,” May said. “At our last camp stew fundraiser, we made 600 quarts and sold it all. We are hoping this sale will be just as successful.”

Tickets are not being sold.

“A lot of leg work is involved in getting out and selling tickets,” May said. “So we are asking those who want to purchase Carter’s famous camp stew to stop by the Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Store at 509 South Brundidge Street in Troy and place their orders or call the center at 334-808-1069 and reserve their camp stew.”

The camp stew will be available for pickup from noon until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Salvation Army Service Center.

“The camp stew sale will help us meet the needs during the winter months,” May said.

“The winter months are always an especially busy time for the Salvation Army. It just seems like people have greater needs in the winter. Utility bills and medical expenses escalate and some people have to make hard choices between paying those bills and sometimes even between bills and food. At the Salvation Army, we do all that we can to assist those who qualify for our services.”

May stressed that the Salvation Army is a non-profit organization and the money donated stays in the local area to help those in need.

“When you give to the Salvation Army, you are helping the people in your own community,” May said. “Pike County has always been generous with its giving and we, at the Salvation Army, are very appreciative of that support for our organization.”

“On an average, the Pike County Salvation Army assists 2,800 qualified people in a year’s time. We have a food bank and assist with emergency and short term needs including utilities, medical expenses, rent, and travel. We also provide disaster relief in this area when we are needed and we have several Christmas programs. There’s always a need somewhere.”