Streets Alive launches Holiday Helper campaign

Number of people served by the mission continues to grow

Streets Alive Mission officially launched its Holiday Helper campaign on Wednesday. Marie McLennan, associate director of philanthropy with Streets Alive, said the campaign is a way to make an impact in the community.

“It’s important to give because there’s people out there that are hungry and cold,” said McLennan. “We are seeing dramatic increases in numbers in the people that the Mission serves which is concerning to us.”

They have gone from seeing 30 people a night for the feeding program to averaging roughly 80 to 100 people every night. The need for their emergency food hampers has increased as well from 15 a month given out to 25 a week.

“We are seeing so many people that are working and can’t afford groceries. They can afford rent but not groceries,” said McLennan.

She adds the Mission knows Lethbridge residents will step up and help, they just need to know the magnitude of the problem.

The PIN (People In Need) bank program has also seen an increase of roughly 200 per cent with people in the city having significant needs to be met.

“There are people coming into the Mission asking for candles because they can’t pay their electricity bill,” said McLennan. “This is the reality here in Lethbridge, and this is a major problem.”

The fundraiser invites you to leap into the holiday spirit by giving in a unique way with their online Holiday Helper donations.

The Mission wanted to find an easy and convenient way for people to be involved in the fundraiser, and to hopefully encourage their friends to participate.

The incentive for Holiday Helper is to donate on behalf of those you would normally give gifts to, and invite other groups to do the same.

Instead of doing Secret Santas at the office, you can set up a Streets’ Angels fundraiser page, a Holiday Blessings page instead of extended family or small group gift exchanges, and a Mission Lights page instead of corporate gifts for staff or clients.

The inaugural peer-to-peer fundraiser will run until the end of the month.

To set up your Holiday Helper fundraiser, visit streetsalive.ca.