More than 1,000 families registered for Christmas Hope food hampers

CAMPAIGN STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

The Christmas Hope campaign, a five-agency collaboration serving our community at Christmas, has registered close to 1,070 households for food hampers and more than 4,155 children for gifts.

The collaboration includes the Lethbridge Food Bank, Interfaith Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Lethbridge Family Services Angel Tree and My City Care Shop of Wonders. The partnership ensures less-fortunate members of the community get everything they need for Christmas.

Registrations are still being accepted and those who have not yet requested assistance should connect with their agency of choice to register as soon as possible to ensure we are able to help in time for Christmas.

A Christmas Hope campaign news release noted agencies have altered distribution slightly this year to accommodate procedures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and implement safety precautions for recipients, staff, and volunteers.

• Food hamper distribution has already begun. Hampers are distributed through the same process used for regular monthly hampers. Clients will show their registration card at the pickup location, and will be issued the one standard Christmas hamper, which includes food for December and additional supplies for Christmas. Hampers will be distributed at both food banks until Dec. 23 at noon.

• All toys will be distributed through The Salvation Army, Angel Tree and Shop of Wonders, working from a master list to avoid duplication of services and to share the workload in serving local families. The Salvation Army Toys for Tots will provide prepackaged toy bundles for children that will be picked up by caregivers by appointment.

• Angel Tree has moved entirely online this year, and toy bundles will be delivered to families during the week prior to Christmas.

• Shop of Wonders will provide a Christmas shopping experience by appointment only, where participants will choose toys based on age and pricing categories.

• Clients will be registered with their home food bank or referral agency, or online and provided with instructions on how to proceed with their assigned toy distribution agency. Clients are also given the choice on which agency to access.

• Registration for toy bundles will continue to Dec. 23.

• Shop of Wonders toy bundle distribution continues through to Dec. 24 by appointment.

• Angel Tree toy bundle distribution continues through today by delivery.

While local agencies are working together on the Christmas Project, there are still requirements to meet on an individual organization basis. Food, toys and cash donations should be made to the donor’s charity of choice, or a combination of the five.

Opportunities for corporate gifts and support are also available.

Financial contributions are accepted by each agency in person, vial mail, or online. Tax receipts can be issued for all cash contributions and food donations. To request a tax receipt for non-food items (toys, gifts, hygiene items, etc.) please provide proof of purchase.

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