THUNDER BAY -- When Amy Stewart and Kayla Stein sit down to Christmas dinner this year, they’re going to have a brand new appreciation for their meal.
On Monday the two Grade 7 students from Pope John Paul II School spent the day sorting canned soup, in preparation for the Christmas Cheer hampers that will be handed out on Tuesday and Wednesday at the CLE Coliseum.
Both youngsters said they had no idea how many people were in need in Thunder Bay, calling their experience an eye opener.
Kayla Stein, 12, said she’s proud of the support given by the community.
“I think it’s great knowing we have people who are willing to support all the families that are in need. It will help to give them a happy Christmas,” she said.
Her classmate said volunteering as a class was an important way to give back to those less fortunate.
“Now I realize that not every family is fortunate enough at Christmas to have a great meal. This will help them out a lot,” Amy Stewart said.
For Christmas Cheer campaign chairwoman Joleene Kemp, Monday was just another busy day at the office.
It’s great to see, she said, especially at the Grade School level.
“We had absolutely phenomenal totals from each of the schools,” Kemp said. “One of the schools had more than 6,000 non-perishable food items. Another school has more than 8,000 non-perishable items. They really embraced the spirit of Christmas Cheer.”
Support has been great across the board, added Kemp, whose organization dropped its monetary goal this year to $130,000, $10,000 less than 2014, despite the need growing by as much as 15 per cent.
Last week’s Stuff-a-Bus campaign collected more than $50,000 worth of food and there was a steady stream of trucks and cars dropping off food on Monday.
“It really helps us put a week’s worth of groceries in every hamper,” Kemp said.
Kemp said she can only dream of a day when programs like Christmas Cheer aren’t needed.
“We’re one small cog in the big wheel of dealing with this. We have more and more children living in a state of poverty, which is a sad state of affairs,” Kemp said. “But we’re not going to let that stop us because we believe in making Christmas very special for every child.”
Hampers will be given out starting on Tuesday to south-side families. North-side families will receive their hampers on Wednesday.
