Struggling family can’t always afford groceries

Grace is making the “big ask” this Christmas. “She wants a pony — apparently — from Santa,” mom Samantha says with a laugh.

It’s not unusual for Grace, 6, to get creative around the house, Samantha adds.

“She likes to sing and dance,” she says. “She likes to be helpful.”

It’s one of the reasons Samantha is willing to go to extreme measures for her daughter this Christmas. She had plans to dress up like Santa and deliver presents — nicely wrapped donated books — to the children on their street.

If you think a woman might have trouble passing as St. Nick, Samantha says she’s already tested her routine on Grace and passed with flying colours.

“I went into her room and talked to her,” Samantha says. “She said, ‘Santa was talking to me, Mom!’”

But as much as Christmas is a joyous time for the family, the holiday comes with some stress. Samantha’s husband, Gary, is getting work as a painter and drywaller, but it doesn’t leave the family with much extra cash.

“We’re just struggling a little these days with rent and hydro,” she said. “I can’t always go out and buy groceries.”

It’s why Samantha has turned to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank for help. Hers is one family you can help by donating to Be an Angel this year.

Samantha says the food bank staff have gone above and beyond to help her family.

“Without the food bank, I don’t think the world would go around the way it does,” she said. “They’re my lifesavers.”

You can Be an Angel by donating at The Daily Courier, online at kelownadailycourier.ca, by calling 250-4700756 or by visiting any Valley First Credit Union branch.