The Christmas Sharing program in Belleville is preparing for another year of helping families in need with the extra cost of food during the holiday season.
Program Co-ordinator Hazel Lloyst says the program has been helping families in need since 1967, providing food baskets and grocery gift cards.
The fundraising kick-off was held Wednesday morning at the Christmas Sharing office in Century Village in downtown Belleville.
Lloyst says the program does not receive federal or provincial funding with every dollar raised coming from the community.
In 2022, there were 1,367 registrants representing 3,286 adults and children.
“And the need we know will be even greater this year than last year, just because of everything that’s happening as far as food costs, housing and post-pandemic situation.”
Lloyst says each year is different but they usually need to raise about $150,000.
Christmas Sharing accepts monetary donations year-round but also offers an option to sponsor a family. More than 500 families were sponsored last year.
“We then let the sponsor know the size of the family, individuals in the family and we give them a suggested food list to help get the family through Christmas and then they build that hamper and actually deliver it to their assigned families.”
Christmas Sharing will accept applications for those wishing to receive help from November 1-30 with deliveries happening the week before Christmas.
Any children under the age of 10 registered for the program will also be eligible to receive something from the Firefighters Toy Drive.
Lloyst says the program also requires volunteers.
More details on how to donate, volunteer or apply are available at www.christmassharing.org.
