Quite a show expected at St. Michael’s

The most spectacular day of the year is fast approaching at St. Michael’s parish in southwest Calgary.

Each year, parishioners work together to prepare dozens of hampers for distribution in the week before Christmas to help those less fortunate than themselves. Last year they managed to put together 172 such hampers and they hope to match that number in the days to come.

This year, the Christmas Hamper Day will take place on Monday, Dec. 18. About 200 volunteers are involved in the massive effort to both assemble and then distribute the hampers later that evening.

“It is just a spectacular day," says Ryan Factura, communications coco-ordinator at St. Michael’s. “We clear out our gathering area and then fill it full of groceries. Last year we had 172 hampers all assembled during the day by volunteers, and at night, we have families who then volunteer to deliver them.”

Factura added that most of the hampers go to families in the neighbourhood who have been referred by parishioners or through the local schools. He estimated that the program helped out about 550 people last year. Parishioners are asked to donate suitable hamper items or cash that is then used to buy supplies to make up any shortfall. St Michael’s also encourages people to donate children’s toys as part of the program.