Local efforts are gearing up to help people in need have a Merrier Christmas.
The Brantford food bank’s Christmas Baskets Program, the Salvation Army Community Christmas Program and the Community Christmas Toy and Hamper Program in Paris all will be taking registrations in November.
Together, they provide gift cards, food and toys to thousands of people across Brantford and Brant County.
The Christmas Baskets Program changed the way it operated in 2020 due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That change has now become permanent, said Amanda Bjarnason, communications and fundraising co-ordinator with Community Resource Service, which operates the food bank.
“In previous years, we supplied our customers with age-appropriate gifts and a holiday food box filled with meal ingredients,” she said. “During the pandemic, we quickly moved to gift cards for our clients to purchase holiday meals and a gift for each child in the family. That change has been well received by families and individuals needing our help.”
Heather Vanner, executive director of Community Resource Service, said “the opportunity for a parent or guardian to personally select a gift for their child fosters autonomy, empowerment and dignity, while helping to make the holidays extra meaningful for the families we serve.”
“Additionally, purchasing their own meal allows them to cater to cultural and dietary needs, as well as individual preferences. Every family deserves to celebrate the holidays in a way that best suits their family, needs and circumstance. The Brantford food bank strongly believes that ownership over choice cultivates a powerful sense of dignity and independence.”
The Christmas Baskets Program provided help last year to 2,671 people, including almost 900 children.
Gift card and monetary donations to purchase gift cards are being accepted. Visit brantfordfoodbank.com or drop by 1100 Clarence St. S., Suite 202. Walmart and President’s Choice gift cards in denominations of $10, $25 and $50 are best suited to the program.
Registration for Christmas Baskets runs from Nov. 7 to 18 and only can be done online. Go to crs-help.ca/foodbank/Christmas-baskets/ for information. For inquiries, contact [email protected]
Bjarnason said Christmas Baskets organizers are aware of people’s desire to get personally involved in the program. Plans are being made for a donor event that will coincide, but be separate, from gift card pickup day at the food bank on Dec. 5.
“We’re bracing for more need this year,” she said. “We’re seeing an overall increase in need, with people coming to the food bank who haven’t been here in a long time and those who have never been here.”
Maj. Darrell Jackson, pastor at the Brantford Salvation Army, said they, too, have noticed an increased use of their year-round food bank.
Last year, the Salvation Army Community Christmas Program helped 790 local households, which included 991 children.
Registration for the Salvation Army program will begin Nov. 8 until all appointments are booked. An online application is available at salvationarmybrantford.ca/christmasprograms.html or on the Brantford Salvation Army’s Facebook page. In-person applications will be taken at 33 Diana Ave. from 10 am to 2 pm on Nov. 8, 15, 22 and 29. Telephone applications will be taken on Thursdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am throughout November. Call 519-752-7814.
The Community Christmas Program offers a grocery gift card for a Christmas meal. Children up to age 11 will receive toys, while those 12 to 14 will have the option of receiving a gift card. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and grocery gift cards are being accepted at 33 Diana Ave. President’s Choice grocery gift cards are best suited to the program.
“I always tell people it’s better to donate one $40 toy than $40 one-dollar toys,” said Jackson. “We want children to get something they’re proud to say they received and not be stigmatized.”
Families and individuals can sign up for just one Christmas program. Valid identification is needed for all members of the household being registered.
For the Community Christmas Toy and Hamper Program in Paris, applications can be picked up starting Nov. 1 at the County of Brant service office at 66 Grand River St. N., where monetary donations also can be made. Knitted mitts and hats are also being accepted.
Non-perishable food items and new toys can be dropped off at the service office, as well as the LCBO outlet on Mechanic Street, CIBC branch on Grand River Street North and the Cowan Community Health Hub on Curtis Avenue North.
Hampers will be distributed on Dec. 16 at the Paris fairgrounds.
Paris schools will be collecting items throughout November and December, as will the local fire department on Jingle Bell night. The OPP will run its Fill a Vehicle campaign Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 9-10.
For information about sponsoring a family through the Community Christmas Toy and Hamper Program, contact Shirley Simons at 519-442-3550.