With the need for extra help at Christmas ever increasing, the Family Resource Association expects to give out 100 of their extensive Holiday Hampers this year.
“A lot of people are finding it very difficult with shorter hours and no benefits, and with the cost of everything going up there is a greater need for the basics,” FRA executive director Deborah Joyce previously said.
Each hamper is worth about $100, to which people can donate money or any of the items on a specific grocery list for a deluxe holiday meal.
The number of families registering for the hampers is increasing dramatically from 20 initially to 42 two years ago, to 80 last year.
The program discretely distributes the hampers to their clients which are generally working families struggling to make ends meet.
Joyce said this is a great way to help some of those families on the edge who have trouble coming forward to less confidential forums for help.
This year they will receive a boost from the Christmas Bear program at the Wembley Mall Liquor Store where manager Rich Cordocedo explained for every plush $12 gift bear people buy, one will be donated to the FRA.
They are specifically asking this year for vouchers for turkeys, diapers and cash donations which people can do online and receive a receipt for. Because storage is an issue they ask for donations to be dropped off on Dec. 15. For more information, including the grocery list, call 250-752-6766 or visit www.d69fra.org.