The Arborg & District Christmas Cheer Board has launched its Christmas Hamper Drive to help those in need in the community have enough to feed their families for Christmas and also have toys for their children.
The Cheer Board is up and running and welcoming donations of non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys.
Cheer Board volunteer Courtney Barkman said the need for hampers is increasing in the area because of cost-of-living pressures.
“Last year we had the highest number of hampers ever, around 88 hampers,” said Barkman, who has been serving as a volunteer for two years now. “And so far, it seems like there will be around the same number of requests this year or even more.”
Businesses in town have stepped up to help collect items that the Cheer Board will pack into hampers and distribute to those in need.
“There are several businesses helping us with our Christmas Hamper Drive. The pharmacy has a drop-off bin, the Co-op has one, Red Apple, Home Hardware and others as well,” said Barkman. “We also have lots of businesses that generously donate to the Cheer Board, either food or toys or monetary donations. Lots of individuals donate as well.”
The Cheer Board serves people in Arborg and the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton.
“We go up to the Riverton area but we don’t go into Riverton because they have their own service. We also go north up to the Okno area, over towards Poplarfield and down to the Meleb area,” she said.
Individuals or businesses can donate food or toys until Saturday, Dec. 16.
People who need a hamper can call the Cheer Board before Dec. 14 to request one. People can also call to refer others who are in need. When the hampers are ready, they can be picked up or Cheer Board volunteers can deliver them.
Monetary donations to the Cheer Board will be accepted at Access Credit Union or CIBC.
For more information about the Arborg & District Cheer Board or to request a hamper, call (431) 272-0035.
