THUNDER BAY — This year’s Christmas Cheer Fund saw a significant increase in the number of families applying for holiday hampers, and while the community came through with donations to ensure there was enough for everyone, the growing demand has been a challenge.
“We really feel very fortunate,” said Jolene Kemp, chair of the Christmas Cheer Fund. “A lot of us spent a lot of time crying because families came in and for some walking through the door, they were visible shaken because they have never done this before.”
Holiday hampers were handed out this week at the CLE grounds and according to Kemp, this year there was a 20 per cent increase in the number of people who contacted the Christmas Cheer Fund, or approximately 1,700 more people over last year.
“Last year we were around the 8,000 mark in terms of the number of people we fed,” Kemp said. “We were still able to maintain a full week of groceries, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and a turkey to everyone who wanted a turkey.”
Toys for Tots provided donations so all children received something special under the tree this year.
Kemp said the community also came through in a big day through food and monetary donations, including a big donation by Canadian Tire.
“This year we were very fortunate,” she said. “Our donors were exceedingly generous. We don’t set a goal but we were well over $250,000 in donations, probably inching up a little higher than that. That’s a blessing.”
Many of the families who received a holiday hamper are already accessing food banks year-round, but Kemp said the picture of those seeking help has truly changed.
“It used to be people who are not working, now they are even working,” she said. “For them to come in, it’s like wow, this is not good. This is something that is truly not good.”
All families were greeted at the door and the process was done as quickly as possible to ensure everyone felt comfortable and welcomed.
“We hope they felt their dignity was intact when they left because we want them to feel that they are the courageous ones,” Kemp said. “We do the work, but they are the ones who had to ask, and I think it is one of the hardest things you have to do, but they put their children first.”
Of course, the Christmas Cheer Fund would not be possible with the dedicated team of volunteers who come out to help sort donations and prepare the hampers throughout the month.
“Everyone pulled their weight, and team red, Christmas Cheer, we have one rule, if you want to volunteer, smile, be happy, and when you leave, we say thank you, you have done a wonderful job. And that’s what it’s all about,” Kemp said.
And while those in need received a helping hand this holiday season, Kemp would like to remind the community that there are people in need beyond the month of December.
“Everybody is pitching in for the holidays, but you forget about the fact that these people are living 365 days a year,” she said.
