WINNIPEG – The list of non-profit organizations who work to help all Winnipeggers have a happy holiday is long.
From the Christmas Cheer Board to Winnipeg Harvest to the lesser-known Agape Table or the new Shoebox Project, there are many ways to help.
We spoke to a few charities and listed more to help you find a cause (or two) to make your own.
Christmas Cheer Board
This longstanding Winnipeg holiday institution has been around since 1919, when a group of churches banded together to provide Christmas hampers and toys to widows and orphans of soldiers lost during the First World War.
The Christmas Cheer Board now provides assistance to families receiving employment income assistance and the working poor.
“We need money, we need groceries and we need toys,” said executive director Kai Madsen.
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Shell service stations – toys for older children are particularly needed — or money can be donated at TD or CIBC banks or by mailing donations to Box 51089, Winnipeg, Man., R2X 3C6.
A longer list of donation drop-off points can be found on the Christmas Cheer Board website.
“Things are going not too badly,” Madsen said last week. “It’s a little behind what we were last year.”
Delivery of hampers starts Dec. 11 and the Cheer Board, which boasts almost 4,000 volunteers, still needs drivers.
Hampers are now packed exclusively by children, with teachers booking time for their students, who get credit for volunteering, to go help.
“We have a waiting list,” Madsen said. “They sing and hoot and holler and have a good time.”
Winnipeg Harvest
Winnipeg’s biggest food bank urgently needs infant formula and baby food.
“Things have slowed down on the donation side a bit,” said Kate Brenner, Winnipeg Harvest’s director of development. “We want to make sure babies get fed.”
Winnipeg Harvest raises two-thirds of its annual funds in November and December, Brenner said.
“If we don’t make it now, it’s a concern.”
She hopes the slight downturn in donations is because people are giving to the Philippines relief effort, which she also supports.
“People have to very carefully choose where they put their money.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Winnipeg Harvest can give online, by calling 204-982-3581 or by mailing funds to 1085 Winnipeg Ave., R3E 0S2.
Siloam Mission
A broken sprinkler head prompted Winnipeg’s largest homeless shelter to issue an urgent appeal for donations on Thursday.
Medical supplies, food and clothing were all soaked when the sprinkler head broke.
“We are still able to accept donations, and we are especially appreciative of peoples’ generosity at times like this,” executive director Floyd Perras said Thursday.
Siloam’s list of most pressing needs on its website, posted before the flood, includes:
- Coffee beans
- Powdered creamer, sugar and milk
- Fresh, frozen and canned fruit and vegetables
- Canned meat, fish
- Tomato sauce
- Ground beef
- Oats
- Mayonnaise and mustard
- Winter clothing – long underwear, gloves, jackets, boots
- Women’s deodorant
- Disposable razors
- Feminine hygiene products
- Towels
- Unscented laundry soap
- Garbage bags
Siloam Mission is a Christian organization that was founded in 1987 to offer meals and counselling services.
It provides food, clothing, shelter, employment training and other services.
Agape Table
Agape Table put out an urgent call for warm clothing and winter boots this month.
Agape Table, a community nutrition centre, was founded by volunteers in 1980 to serve free hot meals to people in the inner city. It now serves a subsidized breakfast to more than 250 people every weekday at All Saints Church at Broadway and Osborne Street and also has low-cost grocery store.
Donations can be dropped off at 175 Colony St. weekdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Koats for Kids
Koats for Kids accepts gently used winter wear at any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service station, Perth’s or AMJ Campbell Van Lines.
The program distributes outerwear to families from October to February.
It also needs volunteers to sort, organize and assemble outfits for those receiving donations. To volunteer, call 204-586-5628 or email koats@UnitedWayWinnipeg.mb.ca.
Salvation Army
The Christian church organization is running its annual kettle campaign around the city. Funds raised during the Christmas season are used to help individuals and families year-round.
The Salvation Army‘s annual Toy Mountain campaign also collects toys or cash at any Winnipeg Scotiabank, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service station, Winnipeg police station or Salvation Army.
Shoebox Project
The Manitoba Shoebox Project collects shoeboxes filled with gifts for women in crisis shelters and transitional housing for those fleeing abuse. Donations were accepted up until Dec. 10. More than 250 boxes are being distributed.
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