Salvation Army Kettles Get Wireless Credit Card Terminals

You've seen them before. The red stands, with a pot where money goes. Usually there's a person standing there, ringing a bell, or simply trying to start up a conversation with a passer-by. The Salvation Army's seasonal kettles are something of a mainstay, and street corners wouldn't be the same without them. And just like everything else, they should be upgraded with the times. After all, not everyone has cash easily accessible. So after an initial trail run last year, the Salvation Army has given the green light for the widespread improvement of their kettles across the country.

That aforementioned trial run took place in Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, California, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. It went so well, that it's gone national. The new kettles, which now feature a wireless debit/credit card terminal attached to them, are now positioned in their spots in 300 different locations, within 120 cities. And according to the Salvation Army, the difference is actually pretty substantial. With pocket change, the average person was giving roughly between $2 and $3. Now, though, thanks to the option of a card, people are giving all the way up to $15.

The machines are safe, as they do not store any personal information about the cards, like numbers associated with them. And, if you're someone who wants a printed receipt for tax purposes, they'll be able to give you one of those, too. Have you seen one of these updated kettles yet?

[via OhGizmo!]