The Salvation Army's 2018 Christmas Kettle Campaign kicks off on Thursday.
It will launch the campaign at the WFCU Centre when the Windsor Spitfires host the Oshawa Generals — Spits Captain, Luke Boka will make the first donation.
This year's campaign goal is $320,000. In 2017, just over $319,000 was raised.
Donations from the annual campaign help support the Salvation Army Windsor Centre of Hope food bank, community meal program, life skills programs and food and toys for low-income families in Windsor.
Salvation Army Spokesperson Shannon Wise says it has 5,000 volunteer hours to fill including bell ringers at malls and stores.
In 2017, more than 12,000 people received help from the food bank and 1,500 children received toys.
The campaign runs until Christmas eve.