Christmas Hampers helping those in need

The Christmas Hamper program is back again this year to help those in need to have a nice Christmas dinner. Roxanne Thompson, 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. “It’s for the good of the community and those in need,” she said. Applications for Christmas hampers are being accepted at Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services until Dec. 13. 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, as an added feature, the program is accepting new and gently-used coats, toques, scarves, and gloves for people of all ages and genders. The pick-up point for the hampers and winter wear is the former Fields’ store located across the street west of the Bargain Shop. The pick-up date is Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Thompson cautions that hampers not picked up during that period will be put to use elsewhere. The program is accepting donations of cash and dried goods until Dec. 19. 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. She added another way to support the program is to make a $10 donation at IGA where they put together a bag of items that can be given to the hamper program. Anyone interested in more information, donating, or volunteering can contact the Claresholm Local Press at 403-625-4474 or Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services at 403-625-4417.