2019 Christmas hamper review

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

The 2019 Christmas hamper program was one of the most successful programs yet as a record number of hampers were provided to families in need.
The Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society distributed 252 hampers and 314 child gift bags to families in December 2019. Those numbers were up from 2018 when 245 hampers and 272 toy bags were doled out.
The value of each hamper was between $250 and $450, depending on the size of family. Each hamper included a variety of canned and boxed items, fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, milk, cheese and hamburger, and either a turkey or ham. Each child gift bag was valued at $140.
“We had 252 callers and we were able to satisfy all of the 252 that called in. It was a record year,” said chairperson Craig Stone, who added that although donations in general didn’t increase, the need for the hampers this year was higher.
New this season, the society introduced a $10 coupon program where each family was given a certain number of coupons, depending on their family size, to redeem throughout the month of January. The coupon program allowed families to buy fresh produce and milk throughout January, helping to extend the vitality of the program.
“I really felt that the coupon idea was a great success and I think it’s actually the way of the future for us. It’s just another avenue to be able to go get some fresh produce and milk products and to replenish their food stocks through the month of January,” said Stone, who added that the logistics of coupons are a good way to expand the program without requiring more capacity and storage as the need for hampers grows each year.
The 2019 campaign began on Nov. 12 and ran until the last of the tables were packed away on Dec. 22. Approximately 120 volunteers offered over 2,500 hours of their time picking up, sorting and organizing the food and toys. The society consists of an executive board of seven volunteers who gave approximately 800 hours of their time throughout the year.
Staff at both Wheatland Family and Community Support Services and Strathmore’s Family and Community Support Services also offered numerous “gift in kind” hours not included in the volunteer time totals.
The society also received support from Strathmore town council, Wheatland County council, residents of the town and county, and from many groups, clubs, teams, schools and businesses that provided donations of food, toys, clothing, money and volunteer time.
“Without the dedication of all these community members, the Christmas Hamper Society could not function … the outpouring of support to the Christmas Hamper Society program has enabled us to provide a substantial package to all individuals, families and children,” said Stone in a news release.
Of the hampers distributed to the 252 families, 130 were single size (one-two people), 103 were double size (three-five people) and 19 were triple size (for families over six people).
Distribution area included 191 for families within Strathmore, 30 from Gleichen, eight from the County of Wheatland, seven from Rockyford, six from Carseland, five from Hussar, three from Standard and one each from Redland and Cheadle.
According to Stone, on a per-capita basis, the Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society is the second largest Christmas hamper program in Western Canada, shadowed only by Victoria, B.C., a much larger city.
“We’re in very good shape; our community is extremely good when it comes to donations and helping people in need,” said Stone, who is stepping down as chairperson during the executive elections this coming June when a new executive committee will be voted in.
Currently, planning for the 2020 campaign is underway and updated information can be viewed on the society’s website at christmashampersociety.com once it becomes available.