Abundant Life Lutheran Church hosts Community Christmas Hamper Program
Holiday Hampers can make a difference for families during this season of celebrations. This year Abundant Life Lutheran Church in. East St. Paul is helping residents in the rural areas of our region once again and asking area residents to show their caring spirit.
Angie Hughesman, coordinator of the Community Christmas Hamper Program, says that Abundant Life took up the call when a previous hamper program stopped running in the community 12 years ago.
“We decided to pick it up and start doing it then. We were just doing the East St. Paul area but it grew. It was decided that anything north of the perimeter, excluding the City of Selkirk and Beausejour, we would try to get hampers to those people that were in need,” said Hughesman.
This means that people within the RMs of St, Andrews, St. Clements, East St. Paul and West St. Paul are all helped by this hamper program.
The hampers include food to help familys through a time when larger meals to feed the whole family are needed. The group also tries to get a gift for all of the children in the families and aims to have items for adults as well as pets so that everyone has a little something to make the holidays special.
Hughesman anticipates that there will be about 70 hampers prepared by volunteers to be sent out to the community this year.
This is particularly helpful to our rural residents who, living outside of a city centre, may not have the same access to hamper programs as people living in urban communities.
“We really believe in giving back when you’re fortunate enough to be able to and have a little extra. It’s good to share and give back to the people. This could be the first time ever they’ve needed a hamper, maybe someone got sick or lost their job or something. It’s just a good feeling to give back,” said Hughesman.
She says that it’s not all about making kid’s holidays a little brighter either. There are seniors in our community, some of whom are living all alone, who call in asking for some help as well.
As far as donations go Hughesman says that they are very open as far as what they can accept.
“We will take financial donations. For people who have food; canned goods are really good items, like cereal boxes, peanut butter, tuna and salmon are really good things. And, we get people who donate gift cards,” she said.
Hughesman explained that gift cards to grocery stores can be wonderful for families but also gift cards for chain restaurants that teenagers might enjoy would be an asset as it’s often they are overlooked because lots of people donate toys for the little ones but donations that teenagers can enjoy are harder to come by.
“On December 10, it’s a Sunday, at Abundant Life Lutheran Church between 12 and 4 p.m., we’re asking anyone that has any donations they’d like to drop off to drop them off at the church on that day,” said Hughesman.
She also said that anyone who would like to volunteer and help out is welcome to give them a call at the Christmas Hamper phone line – 204-805-6270 —or email at communitychristmashamper@gmail.com.
She thanks everyone who plans to make a donation this year.
“Whatever anyone can donate, whether it be big or small, we just appreciate it,” said Hughesman.
