"Help Fill a Hamper!"
That's the message from Courtney van den Boogaard and the Storehouse Community Hub Society as the not-for-profit prepares to hand out its unique Christmas hampers to needy families this holiday season.
Every year, an army of volunteers meets on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds to fill hampers with food, gift cards, toiletries, gifts, and other much-needed and comforting items to bolster holiday celebrations for families and seniors in need.
"Last year, we distributed over 1,000-plus hampers, supporting 2,633 residents, including 1,144 children and youth and 393 seniors," Courtney van den Boogaard, Storehouse marketing director, wrote in an email appeal. "This year, we anticipate preparing close to 1,200 hampers, each filled with care and essentials to bring comfort and joy to those struggling this season."
She added the hamper program aims to to take care of "everyone in our community" while extending support to families with or without children, to marginalized individuals, and to seniors.
"(We) ensure every member of our community feels cared for during the holidays," van den Boogaard noted. "We also collaborate closely with both Bureaus to cross-reference applications and prevent duplication, so that every household in need receives support and no one is left behind."
She said businesses and individuals can help the program in several ways.
First, businesses can host donation boxes. The boxes are placed at businesses to collect non-perishable food items and toys from staff and customers.
Storehouse will drop off the boxes between Nov. 3-14 and pick them up between Dec. 12-16.
Another way to help is by donating gift cards. The Cloverdale Christmas Hamper Program recommends $50 gift cards to Happy Teens, Walmart, London Drugs, or Shoppers Drug Mart "to help us support teens and seniors directly."
The hamper program accepts financial donations too.
"Your contributions will help us to purchase essential food, gift cards, and supplies for each hamper," van den Boogaard explained
She said specific monetary amounts allow the program to collect and distribute food and gifts by family size: $300 (senior or individual), $500 (family of 2-3), $750 (family of 4-5), and $1,000 (family of 6 or more).
The Cloverdale Christmas Hamper is also running a silent auction. They are looking for donations of gift baskets, gift certificates, or experiences. Deadline to donate items for the auction is Dec. 1.
She added that donations valued at $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt.
The Cloverdale Christmas Hamper Program has been serving the needy in the Surrey-Langley-White Rock area since 1991.
For more info on the hamper program, or to make a donation, visit storehousesociety.ca.