Hampers help families in need at Christmas

Wednesday marked one of the busiest days of the year for The Salvation Army in HRM, as Christmas assistance hampers were handed out to families in need throughout the community.

Salvation Army officers, staff and scores of volunteers mobilized at six locations around HRM to help distribute the hampers. The sites included Salvation Army locations in Halifax, Spryfield, Fairview, Dartmouth and Lower Sackville, as well as City Heights Church in Dartmouth

In many locations, members of the community gave up time from their day to help The Salvation Army distribute these needed supplies. Nowhere was the community atmosphere better exemplified than Spryfield. More than 30 volunteers, including teams from local high school J.L. Ilsley, the Katimavik program and nearby grocery store Sobeys joined Salvation Army staff and members at the Spryfield Family Resource Centre to help hand-out hundreds of Christmas hampers.

Nearly 2,300 food hampers were distributed from the six sites. Each food hamper contained everything needed for a Christmas dinner, including a turkey, fresh bread, produce, canned vegetables, stuffing, cookies, juice, and more.

In addition to the food hampers, families also received gifts for their children. Those 12-and-under received a selection of toys, while teenagers received gift cards. The full reach of the program won’t be known until after the Christmas season. Last year over 4,500 children in HRM, and 17,000 total in the Maritimes, were given the opportunity to experience a Christmas they otherwise would not have had.

Local car dealerships City Mazda and Portland Street Honda did their part as well. Both dealerships volunteered vehicles and drivers to distribution points, offering complementary rides home for people lugging their Christmas supplies – saving many the cost of taxi ride.

Anyone requiring assistance this Christmas season should contact their local Salvation Army location.