The Christmas Sharing Program is wrapping up its 58th campaign with an additional call for financial support.
Program coordinator for the Christmas Sharing Program, Hazel Lloyst, spoke to Quinte News about this year’s campaign.
“We had a total of 1335 applications that climb the stairs at Century Place to come in and register for food, a food hamper or grocery card equivalent,” Lloyst tells Quinte News.
“That equates to about 3000 folks that would have had a wonderful Christmas dinner, but those cards cost us money. We, on average, give out about $90,000 worth of FreshCo grocery gift cards in lieu of those that don’t receive a hamper, we have about 400 folks who do receive a wonderful food hamper.”
Lloyst said that in addition, over 800 kids aged 10 and under were registered through Christmas Sharing to receive gifts from the Belleville Professional Firefighters Toy Drive.
She says demand continues to be high this year, with numbers going up.
Lloyst, however, says it was not a huge increase compared to last year.
“What we have seen is changes in the family,” she explained.
“We’re seeing more young adults that are living at home, maybe only working part-time again.”
She says the community has responded well to the demand.
“Many of the people wanting to sponsor a food hamper said, I’ll take a big family,” Lloyst said.
“So the community understands how difficult it is out there for folks to have a nice Christmas dinner. So not a big, big change, only the dynamics of the ages.”
There are three different ways you can help the program, which can be found below:
1. In Person (until Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Christmas Sharing Office
199 Front St., 2nd Floor (Century Place), Belleville
Accepted: cash, cheque, or money order
2.) By Mail
Christmas Sharing Program
P.O. Box 22056, Century Place
199 Front Street, Suite 206A, Belleville, ON, K8N 5V7
3. Online (via CanadaHelps)
More information about the Christmas Sharing Program can be found at their website.
