For hundreds of people like Bob Beauregarde, Christmas dinner will be served, and there will be gifts under the tree, thanks to the Penticton Salvation Army.
Beauregarde is a single father with four children between the ages of four and 14.
The Penticton man says two years ago he was laid off from his job in Alberta. Since then, he hasn’t been able to find anything but part-time work.
“There’s not very many places available for rent that are affordable right now,” Beauregarde said. “So those two things together create a big crunch at this time of year.”
The Penticton Salvation Army has already topped last year’s numbers in terms of the amount of people who have applied for the Christmas hamper program.
Volunteers like Gail Dunn will be handing out the Christmas hampers on Dec. 15.
“It’s my only way of giving back, is to do something that is needed in the community,” Dunn said.
Beauregarde also gives back to the Salvation Army. He puts in volunteer hours at the kettle bell every year.