By Marino Eccher

St. Paul Pioneer Press

ST. PAUL — The Salvation Army is going to need a bigger kettle.

A Minnesota couple on Saturday dropped a check for a whopping $500,000 into the bucket at the Cub Foods in Rosemount.

Not only was it the largest single such gift the organization has received in the Twin Cities, but it also blew the bells off the previous record of $25,000.

The couple asked to remain anonymous but told the Salvation Army they made the gift in hopes of encouraging others to give generously.

The father of one served in the trenches during World War I and was always grateful for Salvation Army doughnut and coffee deliveries, the couple said.

They also said they remember when money was tight and they relied on discarded food from the local grocery store.

“You get to a point in life where it’s time to take care of others, the way you were taken care of,” the donors said, according to the organization.

The donation came a day after the Salvation Army’s annual mystery benefactor or benefactors, “Saint Grand,” left $1,100 in cash in two Roseville kettles.

The organization is trying to raise $11.6 million this year.

“We are simply stunned and honored to have received such a generous gift,” said Maj. Jeff Strickler, the Salvation Army’s Twin Cities commander. “This is a true blessing, and it could not come at a better time for the Salvation Army and the people we serve.”

— Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.