KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Many Turning to Salvation Army For Holiday Jobs
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The Salvation Army knew it would have more people applying. But getting more than 200 applications was a surprise because they only put up a few fliers and mostly it was word of mouth that brought the job seekers in.
Major Doug Williams says they have repeat bell ringers, year after year including people who live in weekly and monthly motels.
Williams says this year, the unemployed are coming in to earn some money for food, rent, heat and maybe gifts for their own families.
Bell ringers make minimum wage $7.55 an hour. (A handful of drivers, who pick up those bell ringers who don't have transportation themselves make a little bit more.)
For the first time, Williams says applicants are coming back day after day, checking in to see if someone might be sick and not able to fulfill their bell ringing duty.
It still counts on volunteers to work night and weekend shifts bell ringing.
