Abuse of hamper programs rare

They’re making a list and checking it twice — not to find out who’s naughty or nice but to ensure everyone gets a fair share.

With roughly 3,000 Christmas hampers distributed in and around the city by the Salvation Army and Regina Food Bank alone, efforts are made to cross-reference their respective lists.

“It’s not that I don’t want families to get lots. I just want all families to get some,” explained Val Wiks, the Salvation Army’s community ministries co-ordinator.

When people come in to register for a hamper, they’re asked to bring health cards for everyone in the residence and something with their address that shows they live within the Regina area. “Then we do a bit of a means test ... income and expenses,” explains Wiks.

“They come in thinking that they’re bad parents or they’re doing something wrong because they can’t provide for their family,” she said. In fact, it’s simply that the money doesn’t stretch very far once rent and the other bills are paid.

The Food Bank collects similar information, giving priority in its Christmas hampers to those who have used their services in at least the last six months.

The two organizations then compare notes. “There is that loophole that there are other community organizations that don’t always touch base with us,” said Steve Compton, CEO of the Food Bank.

“I guess the potential exists. We found that when we compared lists between the Salvation Army and ourselves over the year, we’d have a handful where there’s dual registration ... We haven’t seen a lot of abuse,” he added.

Both Wiks and Compton said they occasionally get “push back” from clients who think the groups want too much information.

“When we explain why we’re asking, generally there’s not a big issue with it. And donors want to know. They want to know their money is being used effectively and is getting to the people that need the help the most,” said Compton.