The Salvation Army and the Interfaith and Lethbridge food banks are once again joining forces for the holidays. They collect toys, cash and food items to distribute to needy families.
It’s the 10th year for the Christmas Campaign, which officially kicked off Tuesday. The Lethbridge organizations come together because of shared clientele, to make the most of their resources and eliminate the duplication of services.
More than 2,200 households are expected to register this year. That’s up by over 500 people from last year.
READ MORE: Lethbridge charities push for last minute donations before Christmas
It’s expected to be a tough year to get all the donations that are needed, but the executive director for the Interfaith Food Bank, Danielle McIntyer, says Lethbridge is generally a giving community and hopes everyone’s needs are met.
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“Our community is really good, as long as we keep letting people know exactly what is that we need and are diligent about getting out into the community and participating with events, we are confident the community will come through with us,” she said.
“This is a year where we will need additional help and we will be putting out a lot of cries.”
Leftover toys from last year were also destroyed by a flood, meaning more donations are needed this year.
“If you have kids in your home, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews – you know what they like for Christmas, you’re shopping and buying for them, perhaps you can pick up one of those items and bring it for a family in need,” Salvation Army family services director Deborah Bakker said.
READ MORE: The Salvation Army’s demand for toys up this year
Families in need of Christmas hampers can register anytime in November.
They are distributed the same way as monthly hampers. Clients turn in their registration form at the pickup location and will be issued a Christmas hamper. Toys will be given out from the Salvation Army church on assigned pick-up days.
Here’s a list from the website of food and items they are looking for:
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