The Salvation Army distributes toys, food to families in need this Christmas

by Maritime
Categories: News Archive
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    What happens when it’s shaping up to be a not-so-merry Christmas? One-in-11 Canadians live in poverty, and for those people living in or near poverty, the expenses of the Christmas season can cause a lot of trepidation.

    WEB1The Salvation Army provides support to those in need during this season with our Christmas hamper program. Thousands of families around the Maritimes will receive support – in the form of food for Christmas dinner, and gifts for any children in the home – to help make Christmas a little brighter.

    The toy drives that have taken place across the Maritimes, with the tremendous support of our partners, have gone a long way in making this happen. Volunteers have spent hours sorting these toys into bags for children, from newborn to 16 years of age, and many people have been waiting for this day to come.

    In the greater Halifax area, around 2,000 families will drop in to one of our distribution centres over the next few days to pick-up their packages.

    “There’s a lot of pressure and stress at Christmas time,” remarks Clinton, who has a four-year-old son. “For us, receiving these toys means that we can provide a roof, we can provide power, and we can get him clothes and the other necessities. Every child should have toys at Christmas, and that’s what this allows us to do, this service is Santa Claus for us.”

    In addition to the toys, The Salvation Army also provides food. Many families will leave with a turkey and either groceries providing all the trimmings or a gift card for groceries to fill the Christmas table.

    WEB2None of this would be possible without the army of people behind The Salvation Army. Partners Premiere Van Lines (storage and transportation) as well as Portland Street Honda and City Mazda (rides home for people picking up hampers) are key to the event in HRM. Then there are the volunteers, who give up an afternoon (or more) during this busy season to help people collect their toys and groceries.

    “I come out and do this because there is a need,” says Terry, a new volunteer this year. “I want to help others who are short on help to begin with, and I enjoy it.”

    Wendy, has been doing this for four years, and can always be seen smiling and chatting with someone. “I can’t go out and do everything, but this is one thing that I can do, at home, in my own community.”

    If you are in need at Christmas, or at any point throughout the year, please contact your local Salvation Army. CLICK HERE for a list of Salvation Army units around the Maritimes.