Claresholm Christmas Hamper Program

The Claresholm Christmas Hamper program, organized by the Claresholm Local Press, is starting up again this year to help those in need have a nice Christmas dinner and ease the extra expense the holiday season brings.

The program has been running since 1984 when Paul Rockley was publisher of the newspaper. It was set up with the intention of keeping applicants as anonymous as possible. Paul personally delivered 6 hampers that first year.

Last year 158 hampers were delivered, helping over 335 community members. With the current economic situation, we anticipate an even greater demand.

Amanda Zimmer, publisher of the Local Press, now coordinates the program, in partnership Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS). 

FCSS accepts the applications, and gives a list of addresses, with the number of people on the application to Zimmer. No names are included. Applicants remain anonymous. There is no shame in applying for a little help!

“We are expecting more applicants this year,”  Zimmer said. “With the high cost of groceries a dollar just doesn’t go as far.”

Applications for Christmas hampers will be accepted November 10 – December 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 their choice of turkey or ham; fresh potatoes and carrots; stuffing mix; gravy mix; fresh buns; a box of chocolates; canned cranberries, vegetables, soup, and fruit; a box of crackers; pickles; cereal; pasta; pasta sauce; a dessert mix and an IGA gift card for other fresh items. Plus any other bonus items 

The program is accepting donations until Tues, Dec. 15. Non perishable food items, cash donations, or $25 IGA gift cards are welcome.

Suggested non perishable food items to donate include canned vegetables; stuffing mix; pickles/olives; turkey gravy mix; jello/pudding; Christmas nuts, candy or chocolates; canned fruit; the $10 grab bags from IGA, canned cranberries; soup; pasta; canned meat; or a box of crackers.

Cash donations are used to purchase turkeys, hams, buns, gift cards, and anything needed to complete each hamper.

All food donated is distributed among the hampers to ensure each contains the required items to make a full Christmas dinner; plus extras to help with meals for the month.

We ask you to check expiry dates on food items before donating, and only give what is not expired.

All hampers will be delivered Tuesday, December 22 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Volunteers are needed to deliver hampers. This is done in pairs. Using an SUV, mini-van or truck with a covered box is ideal for deliveries. Anyone interested in volunteering to be a driver can contact Amanda Zimmer at Amanda@claresholmlocalpress.ca or 403-625-4474.

For more information, or to donate, please contact the Claresholm Local Press at 403-625-4474 or Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services at 403-625-4417.