INNISFAIL - With recent job layoffs and a tough economy in Alberta, more families are struggling this holiday season.
The Innisfail Christmas Bureau is again providing Christmas hampers to help struggling families this Christmas.
“We just had our first hamper fill and it was very busy,” said Karina Lucas, co-chair of the Innisfail Christmas Bureau. “We fill hampers every Tuesday and we fill them with stocking stuffers and a few extra items.”
The Christmas Bureau collects donations of cash and toys to fill hampers for needy families every Christmas.
This year the bureau opened on Nov. 16 in the Henday Mall and families can register for a Christmas hamper every Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. until Dec. 12.
When a family registers they receive a hamper filled with Christmas toys for children and a grocery card for food, said Lucas, adding there is a need this year for items for children ages 13 and older.
“It's a hard year. This year there's a lot of families who are using the Christmas Bureau even if they normally wouldn't,” said Lucas. “They just need that extra little bit of help to buy some groceries and put presents under the tree.”
Each hamper is filled with such things as tuques and mitts, a stuffie toy, a book, and a game or puzzle, she added.
As a non-profit organization the Innisfail Christmas Bureau relies on generous donations from local organizations, businesses and members of the community, noted Lucas.
She said they all play an important role in helping needy families at Christmastime.
“Everyone needs to give back to the community they live in,” said Lucas. “It's good that people are looking past their own front door and seeing what other people need.”
For more information or for any questions, email [email protected] If any citizen knows a family in need he or she can leave a message at 403-227-3111.
Karina Lucas
"It's a hard year. This year there's a lot of families who are using the Christmas Bureau even if they normally wouldn't."
