Tim Hortons Donation brings hope to local Christmas Agencies

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Hughes noted that any little bit helps.

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“If you’re buying four gifts for you one kid – take one to the Salvation Army, or if you’ve got an extra box of cereal, or whatever, they need it and they need it now.”

The funds that made up the Tim Hortons donation were from a unique idea.  Hughes explained that all the cream his restaurant purchases comes from the local Costco and the large bags are delivered in crates. The restaurant is charged a $3.00 per crate deposit on the crates and when they are reimbursed the deposit, the funds are allowed to accumulate and then gifted to a charity. In this case, the money was gifted to the Food banks and purchased toys for the Salvation Army.

Deb Bakker, the Family Services Director with the Lethbridge Salvation Army, which is collecting toys for children this Christmas, called it an amazing donation and couldn’t come soon enough, as her organization needs to finds gifts for 2000 children.

“As each mom comes in and picks three to four toys for their children, it means we are actually looking at 8000 toys that we need to come in so that we can assist the community.”

As is the usual case, Bakker says they need toys for ages zero to 17, both boys and girls.

“And it’s really difficult to get toys for the “tweens” and the “teens” because they really fall between the cracks – so we look for gifts cards that we can match up with another gift as well.”

Bakker says toys are starting to trickle in.

“We now have about 3000 toys but we still need to 5000 to 6000 more – so, we are still in great need.

The three agencies expect to provide Christmas hampers and gifts to about 2200 households this year, which comprises roughly 3500 adults, as well as the 2000 children.

Danielle McIntyre with the Interfaith Food Bank and Maral Kiani Tari from the Lethbridge Food bank, call the Tim Hortons donation of toys and $10,000 in cash a big deal.  However, McIntyre notes they still need the community to step up for them this year, as they try to help 500 more households than they normally do.

The Food Banks will have a number of different fund-raisers and events taking place across the city from now until Christmas. McIntyre explains that the cash donation will go a long way to helping the groups, as they will be able to purchase exactly what they need, or make-up for a short fall in items that may not come in from donations. The groups can also stretch cash donations by making bulk purchases and sourcing from different wholesalers.

The Food Banks are expecting to need about 70,000 pounds of food every month at each food bank. McIntyre estimates they are about half way there for the Christmas season but, there is still a long way to go.