How you can still help this Christmas season
With Christmas just days away, there is still so much need among the less fortunate in the community, despite the generosity that so many Hamiltonians have already shown. From donating food and toys, to giving the ultimate gift of life in blood for the Ca
There is no shortage of poverty and help needed, unfortunately. But at Christmas, more people turn their thoughts to giving and sharing what they have. Here is a list of some of the ways you can still help make someone’s Christmas merry and bright, and the coming year a happier one:
Salvation Army Christmas Kettle:
32 kettles in shopping malls, grocery stores, all major retailers. Runs until Saturday at 8 p.m.
Needed: $110,000 to reach $300,000 Hamilton goal to pay for programs throughout the year, (including food bank, summer camps). Cash donations. New is donation through a downloaded Canadian Salvation Army Kettle app — scan bar code on top of kettle to donate directly.
Needed: Volunteers to man the kettles. Call 905-521-1660 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Salvation Army Food Bank & Toys:
Open for more food donations Dec. 27, 28, and 29 at 80 Bay St. location.
People in need, call for emergency relief until Jan. 2 at 905-540-1888, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Still collecting toys at Lime Ridge Mall toy mountain until Dec. 27 (for emergency toy needs this Christmas and for donations throughout the year, like a child’s birthday).
Canadian Blood Services:
The need for blood never stops, but the need is more critical at this time of year. A leukemia patient can need up to eight units per week; a car accident victim, up to 50 units within the first 24 hours. (Donations amount to 1 unit (500 mL) per person).
Needed: New blood donors — 35 in Burlington and 12 in Hamilton during the holidays when regular donors may be travelling, sick, or simply get too busy and forget.
Urging families to join those who already come out to give — maybe before Christmas dinner or afterwards. Blood services can provide a complementary taxi for groups of three or more and pizza for groups of five or more who come out to donate blood.
Open blood clinic on Boxing Day: Hamilton; 35 Stone Church Rd., Ancaster. Burlington; 1250 Brant St. Both 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Dec. 24, 25.
To help: Walk-in, or preferably, book online or call 1-800-236-6283. Visit blood.ca/donate for other times.
Wesley Urban Ministries:
Still in need of gift items for teenagers and adults, from books to CDs and toiletries — and foods like peanut butter, hot sauce, ketchup and mustard. Drop off donations at Wesley Christmas holiday store, Pioneer Memorial Church, 1974 King St. E. until 4 p.m. Friday. What gifts don’t get used will be saved for next year or if food, for the new year. Store open Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also needed: Five to 10 volunteers for Christmas store Thursday and Friday afternoon
Wesley Day Centre, which provides meals for the homeless, is in need of volunteers to prepare and serve food on Dec. 26, 28 and 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 195 Ferguson Ave. N. Email Julia.zougas@wesley.ca to volunteer.
Children’s Aid Society:
Still accepting gifts of new toys and gift cards for all ages, to have available for families new to the agency over the holidays — and for those who missed out on getting a Christmas hamper.
Drop off at 735 King St. E., weekdays except Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s days. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hamilton Children’s Aid Society:
In good shape for the holidays. Its toy room is full and it is not accepting anything else at the moment.
Good Shepherd:
Can always use a financial contribution for impact throughout the year, not just at Christmas. Contribute online or mail to: Good Shepherd, 10 Delaware Ave., Hamilton, L8N 3R1. Christmas hampers and gifts have already been distributed, but some of it still has to be paid for.
Always in need of non-perishable foods because “hunger knows no season.” Important at this time of year are warm clothing donations — coats, mitts, hats — for both adults and children. Donations can be dropped off at Good Shepherd Venture Centre, 155 Cannon St. during regular business hours, or during the holidays or afterhours, at 135 Mary St.
Another tip: Keep in mind that at this time of year, many people feel the pain of loneliness, especially the elderly, so invite someone over for coffee or for dinner. It’s not just material things that comfort people.
Snow Angels volunteer program:
Needed: 53 more volunteers to clear snow for disabled, vulnerable and senior population who cannot clear the snow themselves from walkways. Needed primarily in the east end of Stoney Creek and the southeast Mountain. Recruitment continues until the last snowfall ends.
To volunteer: go to hamilton.ca/snowangels. Volunteers can be matched to a client on same day.
Neighbour to Neighbour:
(N2N) Centre (food bank, family services and community support)
Christmas food program continues until Friday. Foods needed most: canned vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, mixed vegetables), rice, oatmeal and low-sugar cereals, peanut butter, crackers, and canned meats. Food drop off between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily; Thursday 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Address: 28 Athens, off Mohawk between West 5th and Upper James Street. Closed Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s days. Closed on weekends. Toy program is finished for this season.
If you are in need and haven’t registered, but live on the Mountain, you can still get help on Friday until 3:30 p.m.
N2N has averaged about 100 people a day coming in for assistance since Dec. 4.
Food Share:
Always accepting food or cash donations (online or in person) to buy food. 339 Barton St., Stoney Creek, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Next week: Just Wednesday to Friday. Needed: healthy foods including tuna, beans, pasta, sauce, rice, canned stew, and baby food and formula, which is always needed. ( Just ensure it is not expired)
The quality of food this year has been outstanding (healthy and minimally processed) so Food Share could use more.