The Cochrane Activettes are kicking off its Share Your Christmas program once again this year on Nov. 19. The hamper program is an annual service that provides food, clothing and gifts to those in need in Cochrane during this time of year.
This year, they are preparing for 180 hampers, but Helen Parnell with Cochrane Activettes said she thinks the number could be even higher.
“Statistically, over the last two years, we have 37 per cent more people requiring hampers,” said Parnell, adding that last year they gave out 153 hampers.
“We will have a high demand,” she said.
With the hampers, the Activettes aim to provide enough food for a month and gifts for children and families such as toys, clothing and gift cards. Parnell said there would be three big events where people could donate non-perishable food items, unwrapped gifts or monetary donations to the program. The first is Nov. 29 at Cochrane Light Up, where donation boxes will be situated at several locations on Main Street. The second is at the “Stuff-A-Bus” event Dec. 6 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. outside Canadian Tire, where they will be attempting to fill a school bus full of toys. The third is at the arrival of the CP Holiday Train Dec. 13, where Activettes will be collecting donations.
Parnell added that starting Nov. 21 the Activettes would have donation boxes available in about 20 different stores around Cochrane, where people could drop off donations until Dec. 13.
“There is no reason why anybody cannot donate in Cochrane, because we have three weekend events plus we’re in the stores. Even if you don’t want to go out in the cold, you’ve still got to go grocery shopping,” said Parnell.
Although the donations of food and gifts are greatly appreciated, Parnell pointed out that they have had a significant drop in monetary donations. She said they are starting to run low on funds and are $75,000 short for the food bank’s operating costs.
Parnell said that part of the growing demand on the food bank has to do not only with Cochrane’s growing population, but also a severe shortage in affordable housing. She said that Cochrane has had more big-box stores coming in that are creating more employment, but that employment is at basic paying levels. Income levels are not matching rental rates in town.
People who would like to request a hamper this holiday season should call 403-651-4090 before Dec. 15.
