The Salvation Army rolled out its credit card kettles Monday morning at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.
The new kettles allow donations with the swipe of a card.
Pilot programs were tested in Colorado Springs, Colo. and Dallas. Monday's drive at Union Station marked the first major rollout of the credit card kettles.
"We're in a mode of need we've not seen in many years," said Major John Reed, who accepted donations Monday morning at Union Station.
Adrienne Kennedy was the first person to donate using the new system.
"I loved it," Kennedy said. "Most of the time, I don't have cash. This is a great way to give money."
The credit card kettles will be used at 20 locations in Los Angeles County.
