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Christmas Cheer campaign aims to feed 8,000

Hampers will include a week's worth of groceries and the fixings for a Christmas Day meal, including a turkey.
Christmas Cheer Blitz 2
FILE

THUNDER BAY – Christmas Cheer is the gift that keeps on giving – unfortunately to more and more people every year.

The holiday hamper program is expected to provide a week’s worth of groceries to as many as 8,000 people in 2022, which comes with about a $200,000 price tag.

The costs keep rising, said co-chair Joleene Kemp.

“We know the cost of everything is up, so we want to do a good job for families. So many of these families already go to a food back and pick up a hamper once a month to help them get through to the end,” Kemp said.

“What we’re giving to them is truly a gift because it doesn’t take away from them accessing their food bank in December. Rather it gives them a week’s worth of groceries when the children are home from school, so they’re probably eating more, and it gives them everything for a Christmas dinner, including the turkey.”

The hampers, which are given out to families with children only, also include fresh produce, as well as a toy for each child, which come from the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters’ annual Toys for Tots drive.

“We’re doing our part, we’re asking for people to be as generous as they can be. We recognize there are all kids of charities out there, but we feel because we give everything back to the community that people will respond with kindness to us,” Kemp said.

“We know when they come to the CLE Heritage building to pick up their hamper, the volunteers are always happy. They greet every family with the utmost respect, and the families themselves are very grateful.”

The annual fundraising drive kicks off on Monday and on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, 36 Hours of Cheer will air on Acadia Broadcasting ratio stations, the goal to collect as much money as possible for next year’s Christmas Cheer fund. Money collected last year is being used to pay for this year’s hamper giveaway.

It’s their main fundraiser, Kemp said.

Donations can also be made at any local Scotiabank location in Thunder Bay, online at thunderbaychristmascheer.com or by texting CHEER to 344-1053 or 344-8229.

Hamper pick-ups are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13 (north ward) and Wednesday, Dec. 14 (south ward) at the CLE Heritage. Kemp said they will hand out hampers to people residing on either side of town on both days, for the sake of recipients being able to get to the CLE.

Registration for the program, through the Thunder Bay District Social Service Administration Board or ODSB caseworkers, must be completed by Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. Families with needs not already registered through these two organizations can phone 622-2286 for more information.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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