In a sign of hard times, the Ridge Meadows Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program was full just 21 minutes after registration opened.
Spokesperson Amelia Norrie explained the Christmas Village Gift Program for vulnerable families opened on Nov. 18 at noon, and registration was filled by 12:21 p.m., leaving waitlisted recipients wondering how they’ll afford Christmas this year.
“We have created a waitlist, in the hope more donations will come forward,” she said.
At of Dec. 2, the waitlist was longer than the list of those registered.
The hamper program was limited to 260 individuals, which was down by about 100 because donations have been slow this year. Having donations falling, while need rises, creates a double whammy for the charity, explained Norrie.
“The climate – the economy – everyone is feeling the pressure this year,” she said.
She noted that Burnett Fellowship church, the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society, and other agencies are also helping families have a merry Christmas.
The Salvation Army had an “Adopt-a-Family” hamper program, but in recent years the program was adapted to be more equitable.
“We found there was a great disparity amongst what families were receiving,” said Corina Ardelean, community and family services program coordinator. “While one family would receive hundreds of dollars of gifts, others may receive a hamper of hand-me-downs.”
To bridge that gap, Ardelean and her team created the Christmas Village Gift program where recipients of the program can come and shop for their families themselves, and choose which gifts will be under the tree on Christmas morning.
Shopping takes place over a two-week period, and the Salvation Army team ensures gifts are distributed on the village shelves equally – so what’s available to a family shopping on the opening day, will also be available to a family shopping on day 10.
With donation dollars dwindling across the country, this year Ardelean had to reduce the program by nearly 25 per cent.
“My hope is that through community donations of gifts or money, we’ll be able to bring our numbers back up to where we were last year,” she said.
The best way to support families in need this holiday season is to donate. For The Salvation Army, a donation is a gift of funds, gifts, or time.
Christmas Kettles are also seeing a decline in volunteer hours, which also translates to less funding for programs like the Christmas Village program, or the School Lunch Bag program which feeds 800 students a week in School District 42.
For more information or to donate to the Christmas Village program, or any program operated by The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows, visit www.ridgemeadowssa.ca.
You can also drop off donations of new un-wrapped toys and gift cards at the Community and Family Services office at 23315 Dewdney Trunk Rd.