Salvation Army bell ringers spend long hours outside locations collecting donations that will go toward helping others. But this year, Midnight Moment Outreach to the Downtrodden wants people to think of the bell ringers, too.

Midnight Moment “steadfastly goes forth week after week, each Wednesday night and Saturday mornings, providing food, essentials and prayer with those who would like us to,” according to their description. They say they travel throughout the South Side and other areas of Providence and say they “see faces flood with relief as people are offered food, and some begin to eat as soon as it is handed to them.”

Ralph Davis, a member of Midnight Moment, said many of the bell ringers who are working for the Salvation Army for minimum wage are often homeless.

One of these ringers, Davis said, is 51-year-old James, who has been homeless for two years and currently lives in a Providence shelter. James is a recovering alcoholic and entered the Salvation Army alcohol treatment center, determined to turn his life around. Following the intensive six-month program, he emerged sober and hopeful but without a source of income. When he heard about the opportunity to be a bell ringer, he signed on immediately.

“James is an experienced carpenter’s helper and, like so many other skilled homeless individuals, he is stuck in a hard place. His past and his present situation prevent him from gaining employment at what he is best at,” Davis said. “For James, there is no foreseeable improvement in his future.”

Midnight Moment says James is just one of the many who brave the elements to raise money for the Salvation Army each holiday season. Each has their own unique story, but they all share a common characteristic.

“Regardless of how they ended up in need of bell ringer income, they all experience the same loneliness and exhaustion as they stand on their feet for seven hours ringing a bell,” said Davis.

Margie Fette, a Midnight Moment Outreach team member, brought hats, gloves, bag lunches and socks to the Salvation Army Service Center on Broad Street in Providence, where the bell ringers gather to be transported to their sites. Now, Midnight Moment wants people in communities to follow their lead. They said asking bell ringers if they’d like a sandwich, a hot chocolate or stopping to say a kind word goes a long way.

“We would certainly be cold and damp and lonely standing in front of a store for up to ten hours. Imagine how relieved we would feel if someone were to notice and ask,” said Davis. “Even if they were to say ‘no,’ which is quite rare, the look of surprise and the smile of gratitude is wonderful to see.”

Major Steven Stoops, state coordinator for Rhode Island at the Salvation Army, was not familiar with Midnight Moment but didn’t seem to mind their goals.

“We have no problem with people bringing coffee or hot chocolate [to bell ringers]. It does get cold out there,” he said.

Stoops said bell ringers would be at 60 locations throughout the state this holiday season. In this area, they can be found at Kmart in Cranston, Shaw's at Chapel View, Shaw's in Warwick, 4 Walmarts in Cranston and Warwick, several Stop & Shops in Warwick and Cranston, Hobby Lobby in Warwick, Macy's in Warwick, two JC Penny stores and Big Lots. Stoops also said that while the Salvation Army does have paid workers, volunteers are always appreciated and encouraged.

At The Salvation Army, 82 cents of every dollar that is donated goes back to programs that serve the hungry, homeless, frail and lonely. The money raised not only helps during Christmas, but also sustains vital programs and services throughout the year. Nationally, more than 30 million Americans are served by The Salvation Army each year. This year, Salvation Army of Southern New England has set a Red Kettle fundraising goal of $2 million.