Hamper program brings Christmas cheer to thousands in need
It was pride that, for a long time, kept Ted Alcock from asking for help.
A single dad for 14 years, after losing his wife just days after the birth of their twins, Alcock has long been the sole provider for his family.
But when he was injured in a head-on collision on the Red Hill Valley Parkway three years ago, Alcock was suddenly unable to work. He couldn’t drive. A concussion left him with memory loss. His family needed support.
“I’d rather do it on my own,” he says. “It’s the way I’ve always done it.”
But when his rehabilitation therapist connected him with the Good Shepherd Centres, Alcock says he was pleasantly surprised.
On Thursday, when the organization launched its free Christmas Hamper program, Alcock arrived bright and early to catch some carols before collecting some much-needed holiday supplies.
There is a dignity to the experience, he says. People in need are able to browse the centre’s market-like aisles and “shop” for seasonal groceries, personal and household products, and gifts. For Alcock — a first-time client — the clean, organized setup and cheerful mood was “uplifting.” “It’s like shopping, basically,” he says. Since using the organization’s services, Alcock has also started to volunteer in the warehouse, sorting food and organizing inventory.
“Volunteering for me is a way to give back to the community,” he says. “There’s always someone in a worst-case scenario. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help … it’s there, you just have to ask.”
More than 80 volunteers worked to prepare the annual program, which will provide hampers to thousands of local residents and families.
Zeinab Noureddine and her family have been visiting the Good Shepherd program for five years since arriving in Hamilton from Lebanon. On Thursday, as he excitedly browsed the gift selection, Mohamed, her three-year-old son, was doted on by volunteers.
“You see everybody like to help us,” Noureddine beamed. “We are so lucky about the people in Canada.”
Maggie Pagotto agrees. As manager of volunteers for Good Shepherd, she says it takes an army of close to 100 volunteers to keep the program running each day. In addition to regular volunteers, they get groups from schools and local businesses from across the region.
The Hamper program will run until Dec. 21 at the Venture Centre on Cannon Street East. To donate, volunteer, or find out more about the program, visit goodshepherdcentres.ca.