LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Salvation Army introduced Black Friday shoppers across the nation to a new way of giving on Friday.
"Kettle Pay" is a cashless system that allows customers to make donations through Apple Pay or Google Pay on their smartphones.
"I just walked up there and paid with my phone," Lexington holiday shopper, Candice Richardson, said. "It was a lot easier."
However, the bell ringers at the Fayette Mall in Lexington said the majority of people still opted to give cash.
"I think that a lot of people are used to that from years past," Fayette County Sheriff's Office Sergeant and bell ringer, Antoine Palmer, said. "They're not really used to Apple Pay and Google Pay yet. I'm sure that they'll catch up with that at some point."
With the high tech update, the Salvation Army is hoping to get a boost in donations after they have been on the decline the past few years.
"I'm very anxious to hear at the end of the day how that's been going," Salvation Army Major William Garrett said.
Garrett said they hope to raise $180,000 this year through the kettles alone.
If you want to volunteer to be a bell ringer, call (859) 252- 7706. You can also email megan.couch@use.salvationarmy.org.
