Last Christmas, Tracy had wooden train set wrapped under the tree for her daughter B次元官网网址� a gift that wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have been there if it werenB次元官网网址檛 for the West Shore Christmas Hamper Fund.
Tracy, whose last name has been withheld for privacy, is a single mother of two, and her ex doesnB次元官网网址檛 paid child support. Her family was among the 750 on West Shore to receive a Christmas hamper last year.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 just moved here and was starting over from scratch,B次元官网网址� Tracy recalled. B次元官网网址淚t meant a lot to me, being able to have a simple Christmas with my family with gifts under the tree.B次元官网网址�
The Hamper Fund, which operates out of the West Shore Food Bank, is now in full swing and accepting donations of non-perishable food, unwrapped toys and cash.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a hectic time for the Hamper Fund B次元官网网址� with just over two weeks to collect everything it needs for the hampers, volunteers work around the clock sorting donations.
Cec Cancade, 76, co-ordinates food donations, while his sister Anna Semenowich, 89, manages the toy room. The pair have been helping out at the food bank for eight and 20 years respectively, which is long enough to know that donations always come through.
B次元官网网址淲e always come in here at the beginning of December thinking we donB次元官网网址檛 have enough, but this community is so generous B次元官网网址� our shelves will be full by the time we start putting the hampers together,B次元官网网址� Cancade said.
Each hamper recipient gets a box filled with all the fixings for a special holiday meal, including fresh vegetables and a grocery store gift card to pick up a turkey or ham. A hamper can be for one person or a large family and theyB次元官网网址檒l be as full as donations allow.
B次元官网网址淲e like to put in enough food for three of four days, so they have something to put in the cupboards,B次元官网网址� Cancade explained. B次元官网网址淲hatever we get through the door goes out in a hamper, as long as itB次元官网网址檚 not expired.B次元官网网址�
Expired food can be given to people who sign a waiver to accept it, but itB次元官网网址檚 not included in the hampers.
Often the Hamper Fund will also receive donations of hygiene products, such as soaps and shampoo, and clothing such as socks and mittens. Those get divided up and put in the hampers as well.
Families with children under 12 also get to pick out a present from the toy room, which Semenowich is in charge of.
B次元官网网址淲e get a lot of dolls and trucks (donated), and more stuffed animals than you can imagine,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice the parents get to pick out something special for their kids, we donB次元官网网址檛 choose it for them.B次元官网网址�
For teenage children, the food bank gives gift certificates to Walmart.
Chiristmas hampers start go out between Dec. 19 and 23, and it will take a small army of volunteers to put them all together.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a real community effort,B次元官网网址� Cancade said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e like elves in, working all night to make sure everybody gets a Christmas.B次元官网网址�
How to donate
Donations can be dropped off at the West Shore Food Bank, 761 Station Ave, Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information call 250-474-4443.
