The Carman and Community Christmas Cheer Board is concerned about numbers this year, following last year’s 16 percent increase in families registered to receive a hamper.
Last year, the local cheer board delivered 175 families a hamper, up 25 from the usual 150. They also moved away from “Tin for the Bin” donations, as many non-perishable food items that ended up in those boxes were expired or unhelpful for most families.
“For instance, we buy instant coffee as not everyone has a coffee maker, and smoked oysters and pickled asparagus aren’t to everyone’s taste,” said Deana Gauld, chair of the Carman and Community Christmas Cheer Board.
Instead, the board asks for monetary donations to purchase the necessary items for a basic hamper — cereal, mac and cheese, coffee, personal hygiene products, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, and more. Items like cereal and mac and cheese aren’t in the cheer board’s mandate, but special collections will happen at local schools for them. Homestead Co-op also helps the cheer board every year by purchasing items on their mandate as sales come up and holding them until packing days.
“Everyone is feeling the pinch, even our donors,” said Gauld. “We never know how our donations will be; and we are conscious of using our resources carefully.”
The cheer board is also looking for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for children under 11 and warm, waterproof mittens or gloves, toques, and neck warmers for kids, teens, and adults, and for games, puzzles, and books for families.
This year, Carman’s Tim Hortons has chosen the Carman and Community Christmas Cheer Board to be the recipient of the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, which runs from Nov. 18 to 24. That means all proceeds from all smile cookie purchases ($1.50) at the location will be donated to the cheer board.
To donate to the cheer board, you can e-transfer the amount to carmanchristmas@gmail.com or email the address to make arrangements.
To request a hamper from the Carman and Community Christmas Cheer Board this holiday season, people can call 204-745-6825 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“Because we are being careful to use what is given to us in a responsible way, we are asking for more information this year,” said Gauld. “Callers can expect to be asked about household income and more specifics about who lives in the home. Some of our families have opened their doors to friends in need, however, this will not change our hard, fast rule of one hamper per home.”
Gauld said the cheer board is also working closely with organizations in neighbouring communities this year to ensure there aren’t any double-ups. If people don’t know which cheer board is in their region, the cheer board can help them find it.
