Donating is as easy as a swipe of a card

ST. PAUL-Donating has never been easier and the Salvation Army has kicked off their 2009 Kettle campaign by allowing people to swipe their credit and debit cards.

Machines will be tested at the Mall of America, the Southdale Mall, and the Ridgedale Mall, according to the Salvation Army spokeswoman Annette Bauer.

The one problem with the machines is that they tend to freeze up in temperatures below 35 degrees. “So we’re going to try using charcoal handwarmers with them to keep them operating,” Bauer said. For the past two years, the machines have been tested in warmer climates, which is why the charity is starting with just four in Minnesota, Bauer said.