by Kyle Wells reporter@prpeak.com With the holidays approaching quickly, Powell River and District Christmas Cheer Committee is now collecting donations and putting together the hampers that it hands out to needy families every year. The hampers go to families, couples or single adults who are living on social services or disability and need a helping hand to make ends meet. The hampers contain food for the families and toys for the kids, all either purchased by the committee or received by donation. Donations allow the committee to purchase bulk grocery items. There are different sized hampers depending on the size of the family they go to, but all contain basic food items such as milk, peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, coffee, tea, cake mix and many other items. The program has been ongoing since the late 1940s and in recent years the number of hampers being given out has risen. Last year the committee put together a total of 304 hampers that were distributed by various means. Among other recipients, hampers are created for clients of Powell River Association for Community Living and BC Mental Health and Addiction Services. Last year the committee also took over Kelly Creek Community Church’s hamper program, bringing its total of hampers provided even higher. The committee expects to be doing even more this year based on early interest and organizers are estimating they will need to raise an extra $5,000 to be able to provide hampers to all who can use them. Some hampers are handed out directly from the committee to needy families. Another service the committee organizes is finding businesses to sponsor families. This Adopt-A-Family Program matches up a business with a specific family. The business is given a list detailing what the family could use and employees are then encouraged to bring in items for the hamper. Sandra Carmen, committee president, said that hearing from families who receive the hampers lets her know how much they are appreciated and needed. “It’s really quite heartwarming, what they say,” said Carmen. “They’ll just come over to you and give you a big hug or something because they’re just overwhelmed...It’s really a nice thing.” Many of the schools in the district do food drives this time of year and often the collected items go to the committee for hampers. Any donations can be mailed by cheque to Cherrie Hunter at 7318 Glacier Street, V8A 5V2. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Family Program can contact Carmen 604.485.2142 or Lesley Ford 604.485.6682. Toy donations can be arranged with Maryland Lewis at 604.485.2621. Toys can also be purchased and donated directly at WalMart and LW, formerly Liquidation World. Applications to receive hampers are available at Black Point Store, Lang Bay Store, Powell River Town Centre Mall office, Powell River Community Resource Centre and the Salvation Army. The deadline for applications is Monday, December 5.
