Executive director Erin Katerynych. The Empty Stocking Fund campaign is launching again. (Submitted photo/Erin Katerynych)

By Angela Brown

Empty Stocking Fund fundraiser

Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund set to launch

Nov 16, 2022 | 12:53 PM

The Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre (BDFRC) is getting ready to launch its Empty Stocking Fund for the holiday season.

Through the program, families in need will receive Christmas hampers and toys for their children so they won’t go without over the festive season.

Executive director Erin Katerynych is looking forward to the event kick-off on Thursday.

“We’re just wanting to let people know that we are starting up again,” she said. “We are already in the process of putting everything together.”

To show its support, Domino’s Pizza in North Battleford will have a “Raise the Dough” promotion, and donate $5 from each special meal sold on Nov. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to midnight to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. People can call (306) 445-2555 to order. If they make an online order, customers are asked to use the code: “Raise.”

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To apply to receive an Empty Stocking Fund Hamper this Christmas, people can fill out a form available at 1171 101 St. in North Battleford. Applications will be accepted from Nov. 21 to Dec. 9, Mondays to Fridays from 1-3 p.m.

“We encourage people to come in early, because the later you wait the longer the line will be,” Katerynych said.

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 for the hamper, people will need to make their donation by Dec. 14.

Katerynych said the BDFRC has seen an increase in the number of families challenged to keep food on the table.

More than 1,800 people a month have accessed the food bank in need of help, and every month 100 of those people came for the first time.

Katerynych estimates there may be more than 450 separate Christmas food hampers that will be handed out this holiday season. Last year, the Empty Stocking Fund provided hampers to more than 426 different households. As well, 54 per cent of those households registered for the Empty Stocking Fund included families with children who each received a gift.

“We’re thinking we’ll be even busier this year,” Katerynych said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow