This year’s Sexsmith and Area Christmas Hamper Program has gotten off to a big start after a massive donation from a local company. The $10,000 donation from NTL Pipelines, which is also the largest single donation in the history of the program, came as a shock to those involved.
“I’ve been doing the project now for three years, and it’s just a super feeling to have that type of a donation at the beginning of our campaign,” says Sexsmith FCSS Coordinator Naomi Robinson.
Robinson says since the program kicked off earlier this year, donations had been trickling at a fairly regular rate, but, with such a stark jump in totals, she is confident that it could be one of the most successful in its history.
“Our hamper program costs us about $20,000 a year, so that will go a long, long way in helping both the hamper program and our food bank program.”
Robinson adds businesses across the area have come up with some pretty ingenious methods to get as much as they can to those in need.
“They might do staff wear jeans for a day, and pay a dollar, and we might get that money. There are a lot of great ideas and great partnerships that go into making our Christmas Hamper so wonderful.”
The Sexsmith & Area Christmas Hamper Campaign lends an extra hand during the holiday season for residents in Sexsmith, Clairmont, Teepee Creek, La Glace, Bezanson and other rural areas.
The deadline to donate is December 13th. To get involved, you can donate directly to the Town of Sexsmith Foodbank, or give the town office a call at 780-568-3681.