The Lawrence Salvation Army is dusting off a few red kettles and celebrating Christmas in July.

The hope is to raise money to serve a growing number of Lawrence and Douglas County residents who are in need of food and emergency assistance.

The Salvation Army is serving meals to about 125 people three times a week, and providing food through its pantry to at least 200 families a month.

“It really started picking up last summer in regards to the need. We are still seeing quite a huge increase,” said Aaron Smith, Salvation Army director of community relations. “Summertime is the time when not only our food supply but our financial supply is low because most of our money comes in at Christmas.”

The 2008 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign raised a record $103,000, nearly 13 percent of the agency’s total income for the year. Smith said 83 cents of every dollar went directly to residents’ needs.

The money provides not only food, but also funding for emergency rent and utility assistance, emergency disaster assistance, and youth and senior programs. This winter, the agency and the Toys for Tots program provided 650 children with toys.

The Salvation Army is hoping a new twist to its annual Christmas fundraising campaign will be as successful.

“This year, we just really could use some extra income to really help people,” Smith said.

Instead of ringing bells, volunteers will be boogying to Christmas-themed beach music on Fridays and Saturdays from July 10 to Aug. 1.

“Hopefully, we will have some volunteers out there wearing their Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, shorts and flip-flops and just having fun with it,” Smith said.

The usual Christmas campaign takes place in about 20 locations, but the summer one will be scaled down to three spots: Checkers Foods, 2300 La., and Hy-Vee Food Stores at 4000 W. Sixth St. and 3504 Clinton Parkway.

The agency is seeking at least 100 volunteers to help with the drive.

“It’s a fun thing for an individual, family or group to do to make a difference for those in need in our community,” Salvation Army Capt. Wes Dalberg said. “We can also guarantee no one will get frostbite.”

To volunteer or learn more, call Smith at 843-4188, Ext. 102, or e-mail him at aaron_smith@usc.salvationarmy.org.