The Helping Hands Society of Grande Prairie is once again hoping to make this Thanksgiving a proper holiday. It is in need of donations to create hampers for at least 50 families in need.
Volunteers with Helping Hands work to fill needs identified in our community, primarily when it comes to food security, as well as clothing and furniture when situations arise. Founder Jennifer Farquhar says the hope is to give families who may be struggling some normalcy during the holiday.
“I think everybody deserves the same dignity in life and not everybody gets that. I think when you think Thanksgiving, you think family.”
On average, it costs around $100 to support a family for Thanksgiving. While the goal is typically to help 50 families during the holiday, the need being seen is higher this year. Farquhar says that’s a common theme for 2022.
“Easily double what we’re used to. We’re going through thousands of dollars a week in donations just for food, just for everyday food. I would say [it’s] the increase in cost of living, just the ability to purchase groceries has increased so much.”
Donations of cash, cheques, or Superstore gift cards are accepted at Grande Prairie Auto Repair or by messaging Helping Hands Society of Grande Prairie on Facebook. Non-perishable food items like stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy can also be dropped off at Tenacious Detail.