Christmas Hamper Society in need of donations fast

Times Reporter 

 

The Christmas Hamper Society kicked off their 2013 campaign on Nov. 16, and this year things are a little more rushed than they have been in past. Due to Christmas falling on a Wednesday the society only has a few weeks to collect and distribute the hampers. 

“We have no choice but to distribute on the 16 and 17 (of December) which is Monday and Tuesday,” said chairman of the society Dave Collins. 

“We need it now, and we need it fast.”

Collins said he has already received a phone call from Carseland School who apologized, but their food drive is usually held to coincide with the Christmas play, which this year means it will be too late to donate the items to the society. 

He thinks this may be the same story with a lot of local schools. 

“We’re forced into a situation of having to distribute even before the end of the school term,” said Collins. 

The society has begun contacting the schools to see if they will be able to give their contributions early. They are also asking the same of residents. 

“It’s going to be a really short campaign this year so please any contributions make them early,” said Collins. 

Collection bins can be found at many of the local businesses including Co-op, No Frills, Sobeys, Shoppers Drug Mart, Bank Athletic Club and many more. Collins said they are requesting the usual hamper items: Stove Top stuffing, Kraft Dinner, rice, soup, Cheese Whiz, pasta and more. 

“Strathmore should be really proud that we have a unique Christmas hamper, that we are so inclusive,” said Collins. 

This past year he has researched other community Christmas Hamper Society’s and found many just give a Christmas dinner, the turkey and fixings and that’s all. In Strathmore the Christmas Hamper essentially gives the Wheatland Food Bank a break for the month. Collins said they give those in need a hamper with enough food to get them past the holiday season. 

This year the society is also offering something extra to those who have requested a food hamper. They will be giving out cookbooks.

“A lot of our clients that we see come through the door are young families. We give them all this food and we know that they don’t know how to cook, what are they going to do with all this stuff? So this year we decided to give everybody who wants one a free simple cookbook,” said Collins. 

The hamper society has purchased 100 Campbell’s Simple Recipes and Value Drug Mart is donating 100 Company’s Coming cookbooks. When people come in to pick up their hamper they will be asked if they would like a cookbook. Collins said there is often so much left over from the turkeys that some people may not know what to do with it, so the cookbook will help give them ideas. 

Cash donations are always appreciated by the Christmas Hamper Society. The cash is used to purchase perishable items like milk and eggs. 

Cheques can be made out to the Strathmore and District Christmas Hamper society c/o Strathmore FCSS, and then be delivered to 680 Westchester Rd.