The reality of the current economic climate means demand for Christmas hampers is up, and donations are down in Sooke.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e at about 360 hampers so far, which is up significantly from the 310 hampers we did last year,B次元官网网址� said Ben Molesky, who co-chairs the Sooke Christmas Bureau with Mike Thomas.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e seeing more families than individual requests, making larger hampers. The population of Sooke is up, and weB次元官网网址檙e seeing more working poor, people who arenB次元官网网址檛 making enough at their jobs to cover their food, bills and increases in the cost of living.B次元官网网址�

Donations are down at kettles so far this year, so Molesky said heB次元官网网址檚 hopeful the Sooke Firefighters AssociationB次元官网网址檚 annual Santa Run meets or exceeds its goal of $56,000.

Four decorated Sooke Fire Rescue trucks will collect cash donations in neighbourhoods throughout Sooke on Saturday (Dec. 10), starting at 5 p.m.

B次元官网网址淲e introduced a tap program this year, making it easier for people to donate,B次元官网网址� Molesky said. B次元官网网址淲e can stretch every dollar we get further when purchasing wholesale. Village Food Markets and Western Foods really help us out a lot as well.

B次元官网网址淪ookeB次元官网网址檚 donations per capita are usually way better than most areas, and our volunteers always go the extra mile, especially at this time of the year.B次元官网网址�

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