The Christmas Sharing Program is experiencing a busy 2022 compared to last year.
Despite there being a week left before applications close, program coordinator for the Christmas Sharing Program, Hazel Lloyst, says there have already been more applications than last year.
“There’s certainly been more than last year. We’re seeing seeing an increaseover last year,” Lloyst tells Quinte News.
She says that in 2021, the sharing program received 1311 applications. When equated to adults and children, that is 3,205.
“We know the numbers are up this year and we also had to open up online applications. So they are coming in 24/7,” Lloyst said.
The online portal is open until November 30 at 4 p.m.
Lloyst says there are a number of factors related to why there is an increased demand this year.
“You could apply it universally to the cost of housing, lack of housing, lack of employment, rising food costs, inflation, cost of living, all of those things are absolutely dramatic.”
With the increase in demand comes the need for more volunteers.
“We do need volunteer drivers for the December 23 delivery because we know that there’s going to be somewhere between well over 200 individuals (who will need) frozen turkey dinners going out and we’d like to get those all out.” Lloyst said.
If you are looking to support the charity, there are ways to help.
“Monetary-wise it can be any amount – any amount over $20. We do provide a tax receipt because we are a registered charity,” Lloyst says. “As far as other donations, those donations would be where a sponsor would actually build the food basket.”
