In the lead up to the holiday season, the Salvation Army launched its kettle campaign this morning at Northgate Mall.
There are over 140,000 Saskatchewan residents living in poverty – many of those in Regina. Last year, the Salvation Army raised about $185,000 during the holiday season. This year they are hoping for $200,000.
“We recognize that there is a need. There are families that would not have a happy Christmas if it wasn’t for the support that they receive from the Salvation Army,” says Doug Binner, Salvation Army community ministries executive director.
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Eighty-seven cents of each dollar donated goes directly to client support. The funds raised go towards paying for food, toys, and ongoing year-round programs.
Partnered with the Salvation Army and hosted in conjunction with CJME, Santas Anonymous is another holiday fundraising program that encourages people to donate new unwrapped toys for children who can’t afford them. They hold an annual Wrap Day, where hundreds of people volunteer their time to wrap those donated presents at the local food bank.
The Regina Food Bank is also preparing for its ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ starting next week.
“It’s a whole host of community support that makes that possible. And it also makes it that the dollars you would chose to donate there to go directly back to work,” says Steve Compton, CEO of Regina Food Bank.
Though many local charities think the holidays shouldn’t be the only time we dig deep for a good cause.
Dan Lindsay, organizer at the Aids Program South Saskatchewan says, “Christmas is everyday. We got to look after everybody every day of the year.”
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