The 2009 Salvation Army Kettle Campaign for Texas County received $15,797 in donations to surpass its goal.
More than 250 volunteers worked with the campaign as organizers and bell ringers to surpass the goal of $15,000. Last year, $15,005 was donated.
The Salvation Army established a unit with the Texas County Food Pantry more than 15 years ago. County towns hosting campaign kettles included Houston, Licking, Cabool, Plato and Roby.
Lodging, meals, groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation and utilities are the most common needs covered by Salvation Army funds. Eighty-five percent of the funds are used to benefit the area they originated from and 15 percent are used to support statewide services.