The charity's bell-ringers are testing red kettles that take debit and credit cards. The test of electronic payments comes at a time when people are carrying less cash.
Last year, the Salvation Army tested the credit machines in just two cities, Dallas and Colorado Springs. This year, the set-up is being tried in 30 cities.
The charity says its red kettles brought in more than $130 million nationwide last year, an increase of 17 percent from 2007. Salvation Army officials aren't sure how much of that increase came from credit or debit donations.
Anecdotal evidence shows that people who stop to make credit or debit donations make larger gifts. A spokesman says the donation sizes are similar to online donations, which average about $75.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)