Local organizations make final push for hampers, fundraising goals

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This article was published 16/12/2023 (679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With Christmas just over a week away, Manitoba charities and community organizations are making a final push to deliver food hampers or surpass holiday fundraising goals to help a rising number of people in need.

The sound of boxes being packed and taped shut filled the gymnasium at Winnipeg’s R.B. Russell Vocational High School on Saturday morning, as hampers were put together for an annual drive held by Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata and Bell MTS.

Ma Mawi executive director Tammy Christensen said requests for hampers are higher than previous years, largely because more people are feeling the effects of the rising cost of living.

“Food insecurity has always been an issue. We’ve seen a huge demand and need for food,” she said. “The cost of groceries is skyrocketing. It’s hard to get by.”

About 70 volunteers filled roughly 200 hampers with everything from turkeys and ham to vegetables and baking supplies. The hampers were to be delivered to families across the city.

Christensen hopes the deliveries bring some joy and ease some of the stress for people who are struggling spiritually, emotionally or financially.

In addition to donations of money, food or children’s toys, some charities or organizations have issued urgent calls for volunteers amid a shortage of help this season.

They include the Salvation Army red kettle campaign, Operation Red Nose and the Christmas Cheer Board, which is also seeing unprecedented demand for hampers.

Executive director Shawna Bell said the Cheer Board has received more than 19,000 applications so far.

“We’re meeting as much (of the need) as we can out there,” she said Saturday, when more than 5,000 hampers were packed and ready to be delivered. “We’re going to keep going right up to (Christmas Eve).”

Applications are still being accepted. Bell expects more than 20,000 hampers to be delivered.

“This is far and away the most ever,” she said.

Last year, the century-old non-profit filled about 18,300 hampers.

Bell agreed increased living costs are fuelling demand. She said the organization has noticed a high number of people are applying for hampers for the first time due to financial constraints.

More drivers are needed to bring food and toys to families in need before Dec. 25. To sign up, volunteers can stop by the Cheer Board’s warehouse at 895 Century St. between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays or 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends.

The non-profit prefers to have two people delivering together who can comfortably lift boxes weighing 25-30 lbs.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca