The Interfaith Food Bank, the Lethbridge Food Bank and the Salvation Army are joining up to provide families in need with Christmas hampers for the eighth year in a row. These hampers are to ensure that families in need will be able to have Christmas dinner and that children will have toys under the Christmas tree.

Danielle McIntyre the Executive Director at the Interfaith Food Bank said it makes more sense to combine the organizations to create less work.  “We have divvied up jobs and are sharing the responsibilities of organizing the campaign and recruiting donations. We are allowing the food agencies to do what they do best by taking care of the food end of things and the Salvation Army always does a great job with toys. “

While the combination takes a lot of the stress and extra work off the different organizations, Lethbridge Debbie Woelders Executive Director of the Lethbridge Food Bank added that the families benefit by getting more in their hampers, “there is no sense in getting food from three different places. We would rather work together and give you a bigger hamper”.

The main donations that the food banks are looking for is staples such as soups, pasta and pasta sauces that would be provided to families throughout the year. Edith Beveridge Major at the Salvation Army said receiving toys and gifts for the older age group is more of a challenge for them, “it could be anything from a gift card to hygiene products, it can be things like jewellery video games all those kinds of things a teen may be interested in.”

Donations can be taken to any of the three organizations locations. Whether it is a toy or food all donations will be taken to the right place to be put into a Christmas Hamper. Donations are encouraged to be in by early December but representatives say it’s never too late to give.