Gifting Smiles This Christmas

Gifting Smiles This Christmas

In 2015 when Cynthia, her husband and their four children first arrived in Canada, they were shocked at how much day-to-day living cost. From housing to essentials like food, she quickly discovered they would have a struggle ahead of them affording what they needed; yet she knew they made the right decision to leave Nigeria …

“We came here for a better life for our children,” she says. They were thankful to discover their local Salvation Army, the New Westminster Citadel, where they received food hampers while her husband searched for work.

The New Westminster Citadel offers groceries to those in need in the communities of New West, Burnaby, and Tri-Cities. Click here to read more about their food bank program.

With one in five children living in poverty in B.C., Salvation Army locations across the province offer special hampers to help these struggling families and individuals during the holidays. “We want to make Christmas a happy time of the year for everyone,” says Corneliu Sandru, Food Distribution and Volunteer Coordinator, New Westminster Citadel. This year they are preparing hampers to help 150 families. Cynthia says her family is blessed to be one of those families to receive a Christmas Hamper and is something her children now look forward to.

From housing to essentials like food, she quickly discovered they would have a struggle ahead of them affording what they needed …

Cynthia is thankful for the variety of items they receive in these special hampers, from toys to food items, and even gift cards for grocery stores, so that she and her husband can choose items on their own terms. Having four children, ages ranging from a 13-year-old daughter to her youngest son being only six, she is also thankful that The Salvation Army can provide gifts for each of them. “My kids have received Christmas presents like drums, toy cars, teddy bears, and even a bicycle,” Cynthia shares. She also appreciates other useful items such as bed sheets and clothes for her children. “They keep all their gifts in good condition,” she explains, as they understand and appreciate how blessed they are. Cynthia knows her children would feel sad at Christmastime if it were not for the hampers. “We would not have toys for them otherwise,” she says.

She shares her gratitude by volunteering at the same food bank she receives her family’s groceries from every week. Something she has been doing for the past three years. “I don’t like shopping because I don’t have the money … but my family can still enjoy meals thanks to The Salvation Army,” Cynthia explains.

Cynthia wishes to share a thank you message to all of you, the generous supporters of the Army who help make these Christmas Hampers possible: “Thank you so much, I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. May God continue to bless you”.

With one in five children living in poverty, Salvation Army locations across B.C. offer special hampers to help these struggling families and individuals during the holidays.

Across B.C. Christmas Hamper distribution is starting and it’s not too late – there’s still time to help. You can support families like Cynthia’s this year by donating to one of our Christmas Kettles on the streets or online at FillTheKettle.com.

With new safety measures and protocols in place, you can also help by volunteering to host a Kettle. Nationwide we’re seeing an 86% decrease in the number of volunteers signing up to ring bells at a Kettle this year. Give back to your community in a fun, rewarding way and help us raise vital funds this Christmas by registering at salvationarmy.ca/volunteer.

With the COVID-19 pandemic things may look different this year, but we are still here and still serving the most vulnerable members of our communities. Thanks to you we can continue Giving Hope Today … and every day.