THUNDER BAY -- Thanks to community support, Christmas Cheer Fund organizers have dropped this year’s fundraising target to $128,000, a thousand dollars less than last year.
Co-ordinator Joleene Kemp said a little wheeling and dealing goes a long way with food suppliers, who provide the bulk of the contents of the hampers given out each holiday season by Christmas Cheer, providing food and toys to more than 3,400 children registered with the program, which includes the unemployed and working poor.
“We felt we could bring it down $1,000. All the other charities are looking for help at this time and we thought we needed to be fiscally responsible,” Kemp said on Friday.
“We know that people are generous and we’re sure people will come forward and donate in a very generous way – both money and non-perishable food items – so we’re able to fill our hampers.”
It’s important to maximize every dollar that comes in, said Kemp.
The goal is to ensure no child in the program goes hungry over the holidays and the first and last person through the door receive an equal hamper.
Kemp said organizers wait until the final possible moment, Dec. 12 this year, to decide how to stock the hampers and just how much food is needed.
“One of the ladies, who looks after the food, does a mental shop and we take a look at the size of each family so we’re able to put enough food in each family that equates to a week’s worth of groceries,” Kemp said.
Age appropriate toys purchased through the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue’s annual Toys For Tots campaign are also added to the baskets. Hoodies, scarves and other clothing items are also included for older children involved in Christmas Cheer.
Kemp said it’s important for children to enjoy a happy holiday season.
“It’s so they can feel good about themselves because if they feel good about themselves, maybe they will break the cycle. Maybe they will be the ones who go out there and get a job so they can provide for the family they have and we will see a decrease one day,” Kemp said.
About 800 volunteers will donate their time during the campaign.
Hampers can be picked up on Dec. 13 for south-side families and Dec. 14 for those on the north side of the city.
Special events include a Dec. 3 Stuff a Bus campaign at the Real Canadian Superstore and a Dec. 11 blitz day at the CLE Coliseum when the public is encouraged to drop off non-perishable goods. School pick-ups will take place on Dec. 12.
Donations can be made at any Scotiabank branch and the Christmas Cheer office at the CLE between Nov. 28 and Dec. 14.
