Christmas Hamper program underway

By Rob Vogt – Local Press Writer
The Christmas Hamper program is on again this year to help those in need to have a nice Christmas dinner.
Roxanne Thompson, retired publisher of the Claresholm Local Press who is organizing the Christmas hampers, said the program has been running at least as far back as 1984 when Paul Rockley was publisher of the newspaper.
She suspects with the economic situation, there will be a greater demand.
“We are expecting more need this year,” Thompson said. “With the high cost of groceries a dollar just doesn’t go as far.”
Applications for Christmas hampers are being accepted at Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services until Dec. 11.
No late applications will be accepted, because numbers are needed to order the appropriate amount of food, assemble the hampers, and deliver them.
Each applicant receives a complete Christmas dinner including a turkey or ham, depending on what the applicant requested; fresh potatoes and carrots; stuffing mix; gravy mix; buns; a box of chocolates; cranberries; a box of party crackers; a box of oranges; canned vegetables; pickles; and a $25 IGA gift card for other fresh items.
This year all hampers again will be delivered.
The delivery date is the morning of Friday, Dec. 22.
Thompson is also looking for volunteers who will deliver hampers.
However, deliveries must be done in pairs. Using an SUV or mini-van is ideal for deliveries, but a half-ton pick-up truck will work well too depending on the weather.
The program is accepting donations of dried goods until Monday, December 11. After that cash donations, or $25 IGA gift cards are welcome.
Suggested donations for hampers include cash; a $25 IGA gift card for perishable items; canned vegetables; stovetop stuffing; pickles/olives; turkey gravy mix; jello/pudding; Christmas nuts, candy or chocolates; canned fruit; canned cranberries; and a variety of crackers.
Cash donations are used to purchase turkeys, hams, potatoes, carrots, and buns.
Other items to include in hampers are cereal and hot oatmeal; cookies; pasta and sauce; rice and noodle packages; sugar; juice mix; coffee; peanut butter, honey, and jam; hot chocolate mix; tea; canned soup, vegetables, beans and meats.
Thompson said all food donated will be distributed among the hampers.
She also asks anyone donating food, especially if it has been in their household awhile, to ensure the food is not past its expiry date.
Last year, 145 hampers were distributed.
Anyone interested in volunteering to be a driver can contact Roxanne Thompson at 403-625-1105.
For more information, or donating, please contact the Claresholm Local Press at 403-625-4474 or Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services at 403-625-4417.