Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund helps fill holiday spirit

“For anybody who needs help at Christmas time, you need to come down and register,” Katerynych said. “We ask that people bring a proof of address, income and expenses, along with identification for everybody in their household.”

Hampers will be handed out Dec. 18 and 19.

“The Christmas Hamper is enough food to last for the Christmas holidays,” Katerynych said.

“We’re planning for 450 hampers this year,” she added. “We think it will be quite busy.”

The Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre will also provide free cab rides home for families coming in to receive a hamper, if they don’t already have a ride.

“As long as they can make it in here. Then, we can get them home if they are within the city,” Katerynych said.

The need for the Christmas Hampers keeps growing each year.

“We’re averaging over 2,000 people every month that we’re helping with food [donations],” Katerynych said. “More than 50 per cent of those are children.”

Right now the food supply at the Food Bank is looking a little bit better because of some food drives that happened last month.

“We’re just trying to make that last until the food comes in for Christmas,” Katerynych said.

The centre is also looking for more volunteers to help distribute the Empty Stocking Fund hampers next month.

Support for the Empty Stocking Fund

People can help the Empty Stocking Fund by making a monetary donation or contributing a non-perishable food item.

Each stocking hamper will include a turkey for a family or a ham for a smaller-sized hamper. Hampers will also include toys for families with children.

To give a toy or gift for children and youth up to age 17 for the hamper, people will need to make their donation by Dec. 13.

A number of Empty Stocking Fund drives are also happening in the community over the holiday period.

Many businesses are showing their support for the Empty Stocking Fund. Domino’s Pizza in North Battleford held a “Raise the Dough” promotion earlier this week, and Dejma’s is donating its net proceeds on Nov. 23 and 24. Tim Hortons has a holiday cookie to benefit the cause from Nov. 13 to 19. The WPD Ambulance will do a toy drive again this year, with the details to be confirmed. As well, Loraas will have a food drive Dec. 15 for the Food Bank.

People can also make donations at some Christmas events coming up. The Battlefords Carol Festival is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Third Avenue United Church from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit Battlefords District Food and Resource Center. There’s no admission charge, but donations are accepted.

Territorial Drive Alliance Church is hosting this year’s Candlelight Processional performance on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. Proceeds from this ticketed event benefit the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre.

Katerynych is thrilled with the amount of support the Empty Stocking Fund is seeing from the community.

“The Battlefords has always been great,” she said. “The support here is always amazing. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support of the community.”

—

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund helps fill holiday spirit

What's Trending