The Helping Hands Society of Grande Prairie says a “significant” number of hampers in their Christmas hamper campaign have yet to be sponsored.
According to Northreach Society Executive Director Dalyce Sather-McNabb, there are 98 hampers unsponsored. She says the number is alarming as nearly 200 families depend on them to make it through the holidays.
“What’s most alarming about this is hunger doesn’t go away just because it’s Christmas, if anything it increases.”
She adds that Christmas time is naturally an expensive part of the year for most families and some working-class families simply cannot afford Christmas dinner anymore due to rising costs.
“Students come home from college, extended family shows up, and some people don’t have the capacity for those extra groceries,” she says. “Groceries are just untenably expensive right now so I think regardless of whether a household is swelling in population or not, groceries are just very hard to pay for.”
Additionally, Sather-McNabb says grocery scarcity has become an increasing problem in years past, and traditional holiday meals have become much harder to not only afford but even find at the grocery store.
She adds there is no donation minimum, and items such as hygiene supplies, comfort items, along with gifts for teens and adults are in high demand. Those interested are encouraged to visit the Northreach Society to sponsor or donate.
