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Santas Anonymous registration hits 1,200 maximum in BԪַshockingBԪַ 24 hours

Food bank operators believe BԪַChristmas need will be through the roofBԪַ
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CFAX Santas Anonymous relies on donors picking tags off wish trees in recreation centres across Greater Victoria to provide kids with holiday gifts. (Christine van Reeuwyk/BԪַ Staff)

Santas Anonymous generally fills up, helping 1,200 families get through the holiday season with food and gifts.

This year, they hit that maximum within 24 hours of the forms going out.

BԪַTwelve hundred in one day BԪַ that was shocking. The need is real,BԪַ said Christine Hewitt, executive director of the CFAX Santas Anonymous Society. More than 2,300 children are among the registered.

BԪַWe take normally 1,200 families and weBԪַve already started to talk about how we can help some of the other agencies as well. WeBԪַll probably have to help some more.BԪַ

A jump in early registration wasnBԪַt unexpected, but last year there were 400 applications in the first day and 230 in the first day the year before, Hewitt said.

CFAX Santas Anonymous is 46 years old and the society spearheads a group called the Christmas Giving Network. Working together for the past 14 years, the network includes area food banks, community organizations, Santas Anonymous and the Salvation Army.

They developed a common application form that goes to all of the families in the Capital Regional District who apply for help over the winter. They go into a database so they know who has applied where, ensuring aid to as many people as possible.

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Santas Anonymous maintains an alternative agencies list for those still taking applications. All agencies provide differing support based on things such as space, volunteers and funding.

For example, Santas focuses on kids, which includes groceries to provide for meals in the weeks when school breakfast and lunch arenBԪַt options as well as grocery gift cards.

BԪַThere are so many diverse families that a turkey dinner might not be what theyBԪַre looking for,BԪַ Hewitt said.

As long as an agency is listed at cfaxsantas.com thereBԪַs still help available.

BԪַOnce they fill up they contact me and I take them off,BԪַ Hewitt said. The information is also available at local food banks, where personal relationships play a crucial role.

Alternate agencies include food banks on the West Shore and Saanich Peninsula as well as in Sooke and Victoria.

BԪַIBԪַve seen some of the numbers and everybodyBԪַs filling up,BԪַ said Tyson Elder, operations manager of the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank which helps households north of Sayward Road. BԪַI think demand is going to be huge this year.BԪַ

Nationally, food bank visits this March were at an unprecedented level, according to Hunger Count 2023, a Food Banks Canada annual report. According to the count, in March there were more than 1.9 million visits to food banks across the nation, a 32-per-cent increase from record-setting 2022.

B.C. recorded 195,925 visits, a 20-per-cent increase over last year and a 57-per-cent increase since 2019.

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BԪַWeBԪַre feeling a bit of a strain from Santas filling up,BԪַ he said.

On the Peninsula, theyBԪַre planning for at least 400 hampers, but regular food bank client numbers from earlier in the year indicate it could be closer to 500.

BԪַThere are a lot of challenges and we just want to take some of those challenges away from other people, too,BԪַ Elder said.

BԪַWeBԪַre looking forward to helping as many people as we can this year. I know itBԪַs going to be a tough year, but itBԪַs always a time of year we feel we help the most people. A lot of families walk away with smiles on their faces and very thankful. ThatBԪַs why we do it.BԪַ

Their clientele ranges from single people to families of 12 and the hampers partner with the Sidney Lions who handle toys for the holidays.

Last month the agency helped 24 households in the large family (8-plus) category and 27 households in the 6-8 category.

BԪַThose numbers are definitely rising. I think thatBԪַs just multigenerational families living in one place because thatBԪַs what they can afford,BԪַ Elder said.

The rising cost of living is showing on both sides, on the Peninsula, donations are down and client numbers have doubled.

BԪַWeBԪַve seen our donations drop considerably this year versus other years because everybodyBԪַs feeling the pinch,BԪַ Elder said.

The Goldstream Food Bank is holding out hope for donations as numbers there also surge.

The West Shore organization saw its biggest year for donations last year BԪַ with a surge that came close to being too late, president Gayle Ireland said.

BԪַThe community came through, thatBԪַs for sure,BԪַ she said. Last month the West Shore organization issued 507 regular food bank hampers up from about 380 for the same time the year before.

The organization planned for 700 hampers this year, building on the 634 handed out last winter.

BԪַThe need has gone through the roof, hence the Christmas need will be through the roof,BԪַ Ireland said.

Visit to see the list of alternative agencies with space remaining or ways to give.



Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

Longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
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