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Share the warmth, share the joy

Nov 17, 2017 | 9:00 AM

While some believe it is “the most wonderful time of the year” for many in our community the Christmas holidays can be very stressful, especially for those who struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis.

To help alleviate the issues that comes with that stress, the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre (BDFC) is once again launching its appeal to provide Christmas cheer to those in need with many activities planned throughout the next few weeks.

“For a lot of us Christmas is a happy time but there are a lot of people in the area who are not as fortunate and don’t see it as a happy time either,” said Erin Katerynych Executive Director of the BDFC. “Fortunately we have such a giving community and with programs such as the Empty Stocking Fund happening in the next few weeks we try to make Christmas a little brighter.”

Katerynych hopes the community will circle Nov. 22 on their calendars for the annual Empty Stocking Fund kick off, which comprises of the Beef on a Bun luncheon at the Third Ave. United Church on 102 St. in North Battleford.

“This year’s event is titled Share the Joy and has been very popular in the past,” she added. “It’s on from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and all proceeds go to the Empty Stocking Fund which last year alone provided over 400 Christmas hampers to residents and helped out over 1,500 people including over 700 children.”

Cost of the meal is $8, however if you bring a non-perishable food item your lunch costs just $7 per person.

Katerynych is also appealing to residents of the area to go through their closet to find any old winter jackets, mittens, scarves or toques they may have outgrown and donate them to the Coats for Kids campaign which will be held on Saturday Nov.25.

“We are always looking for donations of gently used winter clothing,” she noted. “We will be more than happy to take it off your hands and give it to someone in need.”

She added that the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre will be open from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. for the winter clothing recycling project, which coincides with the annual Christmas Parade in North Battleford on Nov. 25. With these recent cold temperatures and snowy days, if residents need winter items go to their location anytime Monday thru Friday.

Katerynych said the organization is also accepting donations of food, money, children’s toys and volunteers to help during this very busy time of year.

“Every Christmas hamper given out has enough food to last for several days,” she added. “There are 19 non-perishable food items in every hamper plus we include a turkey, fruit, cheese, pie and potatoes.”

Applications for Christmas hampers runs Nov. 27 until Dec. 8 at the Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund office at 1171-101 St. in North Battleford.

For more information on applying for a Christmas hamper this year click on the link here.  

 

 roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter