Big kettle, big needs as Salvation Army starts bell ringing News-Chronicle There's a really big need for aid from The Salvation Army this Christmas season, and the army has hauled out a really big kettle to remind everyone. The super-sized kettle - holding the equivalent of 800 gallons - is located at Bay Park Square in Ashwaubenon. If it could be filled, it would hold the entire goal for the Green Bay Corps' campaign: $871,000. The big kettle, designed and built by New Tech Metals of Green Bay, was donated by an anonymous friend of The Salvation Army. It weighs half a ton and stands 4 feet, 6 inches high, with a special walkway (donated by the local Carpenters Union) for children to drop money down the slot. But it's not the only kettle. There are 51 locations that need to be staffed by bell ringers. They'll be needed, Mayor Bob Fay said the army has received requests for special holiday aid from 1,893 families, and expects to serve a total of 3,400 families, up from 3,237 last year. Requests have been up throughout the year, and the Salvation Army has cut staff and cut back on grocery distributions. Only 31 percent of the total number of hours for bell ringers have been filled. The army needs more than 5,000 shifts to be picked up. To volunteer, call 497-7053 or see www.ringbells.org.