The Creston Ministerial Association is anticipating a rise in the need for Christmas hampers this year, with food bank use 1.3 per cent higher than 2014 (and 26 per cent higher than 2008), according to Food Banks Canada.
Although exact numbers won’t be known until hamper registration closes Dec. 9, the Creston Valley’s giving spirit will ensure the annual hamper program’s success.
“This community is very generous,” said Erickson Covenant Church Pastor Tom Greentree. “Knowing the need is greater reminds us that every little bit counts. The financial donations, the food donations, the hours put in — every little bit helps.”
Last year, over 130 volunteers packed 400 hampers at the Creston and District Community Complex, filling boxes with non-perishable food, gift cards for turkey, toys, books, games and other gifts.
The number of hampers appeared to be down over previous years — requests peaked at 485 in 2012 — with recipients required, as of last year, to reserve a hamper for themselves rather than having someone else sign them up. This has resulted in a more streamlined process, with less duplication and fewer hampers going to those who may not actually want or need them.
“We’re actually enabling people to have Christmas this year who may not have had much without this,” said Greentree.
Many community organizations and businesses get involved, with the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy accepting donations of new books (at Black Bear Books, Kingfisher Used Books, Overwaitea Foods, Extra Foods and the Creston Valley Advance until Dec. 11).
Pyramid Building Supplies is collecting toys (simply visit the store, pull a tag with an age and gender from the Christmas tree, buy an appropriate gift, and return it unwrapped to Pyramid by Dec. 12), and the Bargain Shop is collecting toys and cash, with a goal of $4,200.
Packers — who will be hard at work on Dec. 14 — often find that teen gifts are in short supply, said Greentree.
“Everybody wants to buy a doll for little Sally who’s seven, but what do they buy a 15-year-old?” he said, suggesting items like gift cards or movie tickets.
Cash is also important, and businesses get in on that, too — the Creston and District Credit Union hosted a bake sale last week, Sue’s Clotheslines has raised over $1,200 with a silent auction (with other fundraising still going), and until Dec. 11, the Creston Valley Advance is accepting donations for its Community Christmas Card, which raised $7,613 last year.
And, as always, the ministerial association will take up a special collection at a carol service, which will be held at Prince Charles Theatre at 7 p.m. Dec. 14.
The hamper program usually costs about $25,000, and donations exceeding that are put to good use, with the ministerial association assisting community members with expenses including dental, medical, and utilities.
“I like to think we have an opportunity to steward the generosity of the valley — our Christmas generosity, particularly — through the whole year,” said Greentree.
Volunteers are needed from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14 (packing) and Dec. 15 (pickup). For more information, contact co-ordinator Terri Goulder at 250-428-4174.
