Norwich — The Norwich Salvation Army is seeking groups, clubs or local businesses to run or sponsor the annual holiday kettle fund drive for a day.

The drive started last week and will run through Dec. 24 at Stop & Shop Supermarkets in Norwich, Uncasville, Colchester and Killingly, Wal-Mart stores in Norwich and Lisbon, and Better Val-U supermarkets in Lisbon and Plainfield.

The Salvation Army is seeking groups or businesses to “Adopt a Kettle for a Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., suggesting volunteers work in shifts of one to two hours. The group or company would be in charge of the kettle for that day and would be allowed to post a sign with the group or business name as the kettle sponsor.

Businesses also could sponsor a kettle for a donation of $1,000.

Norwich Salvation Army Captain Jerry Uttley said the agency also has buttons for sale saying “I am a Kettle Supporter” for $20. The buttons are on sale at the Salvation Army office at 169 Franklin St., Norwich.

Uttley said the first week of the drive raised about $11,000 toward the goal of $80,000 — about $2,000 behind the first week of last year's drive. The Salvation Army divisional headquarters in Hartford has pledged to match donations dollar for dollar for any amount raised over last year’s total of $70,000 to boost the local branch.

For information or to sponsor a kettle drive, contact the Norwich Salvation Army at (860) 889-2329.