By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Agencies partner for 11th year of Christmas hamper campaign

Nov 1, 2017 | 11:37 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Christmas is a season of generosity, and three Lethbridge organizations hope that their efforts to help the less fortunate will be remembered once again.

For the eleventh year, the Lethbridge Food Bank, Interfaith Food Bank, and Salvation Army are teaming up to distribute Christmas hampers to families in need, including special seasonal items as well as toys. The agencies have begun accepting registrations from their regular clients.

Maral Kiani Tari, executive director of the Lethbridge Food Bank Society, said they are projecting 1,800 hampers, more than the number distributed last year but below the original projection a year ago.

“That’s just because we have seen a higher number on a month-to-month basis,” she explained. “I would definitely say the economy is a key factor into it.” She added they are working with more new clients, including refugees who may not have found work and whose government funding has run out.

Danielle McIntyre, executive director of the Interfaith Food Bank, says the three-way partnership has worked well.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

“It’s a natural for us to work together, as we share common clients as well as supporters, which is really fantastic for us,” she said, “because we’ve tried to make it easy for the community. Donate to one, donate to all.”

The campaign is estimating 2,300 adults and 2,000 children will benefit from the hampers, which will go out in December as part of the standard distribution. The Salvation Army is responsible for handing out the toys, on designated pick-up days.

The toys will be sorted into age levels, and each child will receive three. Capt. Ben Lippers of the Salvation Army said to avoid giving a child something they already have, they get to pick out what they want.

“I’ve done it both ways. How do I know what your child needs, and I take a garbage bag and I go, oh, this looks good, and meanwhile he has three of them,” Lippers said. “If you can come in and you can pick, wow… there’s no words. That’s where you get the emotions coming out from Mom, or from Dad.”

Lippers said the campaign needs roughly 7,000 toys for children 17 and under. He hopes in particular donors will think about older children, as well as infants.

Most wanted food items:

• Turkey/ham/chicken
• Canned vegetables
• Cranberry sauce
• Stuffing mix
• Canned meat/fish
• Peanut butter/jam
• Dry pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Baby food
• Canned soup/mix
• Canned fruit
• Pork and beans
• Macaroni and cheese
• Instant noodles
• Chili/canned pasta
• Cake/pancake mix
• Pudding/Jell-O mix
• Coffee/tea/hot chocolate
• Chocolates/candy
• Candy canes
• Juice
• Meat vouchers/gift cards