THUNDER BAY - Another outpouring of generosity from the community will ensure this year hundreds of families do not go without a warm meal or a treat under the tree his holiday season.
The Christmas Cheer Fund is preparing to hand out its holiday hampers to families in need next week. On Sunday, the Christmas Cheer Blitz was held at the CLE to collect last minute donations and prepare the food for distribution.
Percy Sutton, board member with the Christmas Cheer Fund, said this year the fund has done extremely well with donations, but the need in the city has gone up from last year.
“Stuff the Bus was way up this year,” she said. “We did really well, which is nice to see because the number of hampers has gone up significantly.”
Sutton said the number of hampers needed this year has increased by nearly 200. On average, the Christmas Cheer Fund distributes between 1,400 and 1,500 food hampers to families in need during the holiday season.
“The need is still great and growing, which is unfortunate,” Sutton said.
But Sutton added that once again, the people of Thunder Bay have stepped up and donated food, toys, and their time to the Christmas Cheer Fund.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “Thunder Bay is known for its warm heart and it’s huge. We really appreciate all the efforts everybody has made to donate and volunteer. We really appreciate all the volunteers that have helped out. We couldn’t do it without them.”
During the Christmas Cheer Blitz, there was a special team of volunteers helping get hampers ready. The Elks Peewee Blackhawks hockey team were out in their jerseys on Sunday lending a hand sorting and organizing donations.
Ryan Currie, co-chair for Toys for Tots and head coach of the Elks Peewee Blackhawks, said he and the team thought volunteering would be a great way to help out the community.
“There’s a huge need and a lot of work here that needs to be done and sort all the food, so what better than to get my hockey players out and buzzing around,” he said. “It’s really nice and they are having a blast and getting a lot of work done.”
Noah Certoni of the Elks Peewee Blackhawks, said everyone on the team was eager to come out and help, which makes everyone feel a little better this time of year.
“It makes me feel great helping the community and people who need food,” he said. “For our team, it’s great to get out and help out.”
While the need is still great in the city and continues to grow, Currie and Certoni both agree that it is heartwarming to see the community is keeping up with the need and always willing to help those who need it most.
“It makes feel that Thunder Bay is a good city and always have people to help,” Certoni said.
“This is great,” Currie added. “The food keeps coming in with Stuff a Bus, home donations, and grocery stores. It’s overwhelming, what’s coming in.”
Hampers will be available to registered families on Tuesday Dec. 13 in the south ward and on Wednesday Dec. 14 in the north ward. Donations are still being accepted for the Christmas Cheer Fund.
