Londoners braved the snow and the cold to ensure their family would get a Christmas dinner.
About 50 Londoners lined up early Wednesday morning at the Western Fair Progress Building ahead of the start of the start of the Salvation Army‘s annual Christmas hamper program.
The first person was in line just after 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, six hours before the doors opened.
Scott Moss says he got in line around 5 a.m. and says a little snow wasn’t going to stop him.
“I was up at 3:30 to shovel the driveway to make sure I got here and my wife will be joining me later. She said I’m crazy for being here so early but loves me for coming in early to get a spot in line.”
Moss has received hampers for the last six years and says it helps him and his wife enjoy the holidays with their two children.
“It gives our kids a chance to have a Christmas, some toys they might not normally get,” said Moss. “The spirit of Christmas is spending some time with your family, but when you can give your kids a little more normal life, that’s a good thing.”
Moss says the line up was bigger in past years, and thinks the cold and snow likely kept people away.
He says they were able to keep warm with hot chocolate that was provided, and a few people were near by who let others use their vehicle to warm up.
Matthew Calcutt says he received a hamper for his family a few years ago, but after an injury at work this year he needed a little help.
“It’s the first time in a while, it went really well last time, we got food and gifts and stuff like that for the holidays,” said the father of three.
“Helps with the kids, I have three little ones, it’s been a rough year.”
The hampers include a bag of potatoes, carrots, onions and a box of food with items to make a traditional Christmas dinner. They also include a grocery store gift card and a bag of toys for children under 12.
During last year’s campaign, the organization says more than 5,400 households received a food hamper and more than 6,000 children received a bag of toys.
They are still accepting donations, the Salvation Army put out a call for help earlier this week saying they were short on toys and were in desperate need of last-minute donations. They say there is a shortage of toys for kids under the age of two.
Hamper distribution runs throughout the week, and continues Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m until 4 p.m. each day at the Progress Building.
The Salvation Army kicked off the 127th edition of its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign last month with a target goal of $550,000.