Maple Ridge Adopt-A-Family in short supply.

For many, the holiday season is a time of family and togetherness. The extra costs that go in to food, gifts and outings are a welcome and planned for part of some families’ budgets. But for a few, the costs that go along with the holidays are a source of stress and anxiety due to the pressure of coming up short for their family; at a time when expectations are so high.

The Salvation Army Caring Place operates an Adopt-A-Family program to assist vulnerable families in having the best Christmas possible. Last year, The Caring Place, alongside community sponsors, assisted 47 families with gifts and food packages for Christmas Day. Families are referred to The Caring Place from community agencies, and the referral is then assessed based on family size and composition. Although there are other agencies in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows who assist families at Christmas, The Salvation Army recognizes that some people feel reluctant to ask for help, and attempts to address this need so that no family is left behind.

This year, Adopt-A-Family needs are coming up short in the following areas, and we are appealing to the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for their support:

Gift Items
– Gift cards for teens (movies, Subway, Coquitlam Centre, iTunes)
– New unwrapped toys for children preschoolers to tweens
– New children’s clothing

Non-perishable Food Items
– Canned: Corn, peas, cranberry sauce
– Crackers
– Gravy mix
– Stuffing mix
– Juice
– Frozen: mixed vegetables, turkeys

Other items
– Nuts
– Chocolate
– Candy canes
– Hot chocolate
– Shortbread
– Tea & coffee

Adopt-A-Family packages are assembled in the two weeks prior to Christmas and are delivered by The Caring Place staff and volunteers in time for Christmas Day. In addition to the Adopt-A-Family packages, The Salvation Army Caring Place hosts its annual Christmas dinner, where it serves over 300 community members – individuals and families (including 52 children last year). This year’s Christmas dinner will be held on Friday, December 19th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at The Salvation Army’s Maple Ridge facility (22188 Lougheed Hwy). If you would like to attend with your children, please contact our Family and Community Ministries advocate as below. All are welcome and you never know, Santa Claus may make an appearance!

For more information on the Adopt-A-Family program, please contact Connie at 604-463-8296 x 112 or connie.mcgonigal@caringplace.ca