Southeast readies Christmas hampers

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This article was published 24/11/2022 (907 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With inflation taking a bite out of household budgets everywhere, this year Christmas hampers may be more important than ever.

Those organizing the annual hamper drives say they’re preparing for more applicants this year and are encouraging people to apply.

More than a dozen organizations across the Southeast are dedicated to ensuring everyone can have a better Christmas season.

Kim Heming of Steinbach Community Christmas said food costs are rising and food bank usage is too.

“Now, I think, (Christmas hampers) are probably more important this year,” she said.

Last year the organization gave out about 1,200 hampers.

The Ste Anne Food Bank gave out about 115 hampers in 2021. Volunteer Armande Leclair said this year they’re preparing for 150.

“We try to make it special so people can have a special Christmas dinner,” she said.

Rising grocery prices and supply chain shortages are hurting the Ste Anne Food Bank too, resulting in a year where no turkeys will be given out. Instead, recipients will get a Christmas ham plus other groceries, books, and snacks.

Helene Lafantaisie is involved in the organization that distributes Christmas hampers in St Pierre, St Malo, and throughout the RM of De Salaberry. She said they supplied 48 hampers last year.

“We know not everybody can afford a nice Christmas, especially nowadays,” she said. “If we can help the ones that need the help, we will.”

In Vita, an initiative that originally began through the Vita Bible Church supplied 29 hampers last year, serving 43 adults and 20 children.

“I think everybody should have joy at Christmas,” Sandra Drewniak said.

Those organizing in the RM of Tache are anticipating a 30 percent increase over last year’s 105 hampers.

“There is a real need,” Irene Bialek said, adding they feel fortunate they have a very generous community that supports the program.

That generosity is also found in the communities in the RM of Emerson-Franklin.

“In these economic times, things are getting harder for people,” Linda Steinert said.

John Prevost helps run the campaign in the RM of Piney where 56 hampers were distributed last year. Prevost said it’s important to remember not everyone is as privileged as others.

“It’s important to give back,” he said, noting that they’ve seen former hamper recipients return as donors after getting that helping hand.

Jill Plett from Grunthal said they gave out 135 hampers last year and are expecting more this year.

“The price of groceries has skyrocketed so we want to provide a merry Christmas,” she said.

The Reynolds Food Bank presents gift cards, allowing recipients to use them at a grocery store and department store for children’s gifts.

“Many people don’t know what it’s like to tell your children they have to go to bed hungry or watch them cry as Christmas approaches because there are no presents under the tree,” Penny Samec said.

“These gift cards are provided to less fortunate residents within our community to ensure that they have a joyful Christmas filled with delicious food and gifts for the children.”

Last year 78 hampers were given out in Morris, Lowe Farm, Rosenort, and surrounding areas. Coordinator Sherri Siemens said they normally expect just over 100 and said they’re happy to do their part.

“A hamper meets a physical need as well as an emotional need,” she said. “Its important for people to know that someone cares.”

All organizations welcome donations to help pay for the hampers.

Registration is required with deadlines fast approaching. Details can be found below.

Steinbach

Serves and delivers to: Steinbach, Blumenort, Mitchell and La Broquerie.

Provides hampers for pickup only to: Zhoda, Woodridge, Sandilands, St Labre, and Marchand.

Application deadline: Nov. 30.

Delivery days are on Dec. 7, 9 and 13 from 1-6 p.m. Pickup day is Dec. 15 from 1-6 p.m.

Emerson

Serves: Emerson.

Application deadline: Dec. 11.

Fill out an application at the Southeast Journal or the Emerson town hall.

Franklin

Serves: Arnaud, Tolstoi, Ridgeville, Woodmore, Greenridge, Carlowrie, Dominion City, Rosa, Roseau River.

Application deadline: Dec. 2.

Registration can be dropped off at the Emerson-Franklin municipal office in Dominion City, emailed to pottclayton@gmail.com or filled in by phone at 204-427-2638.

Grunthal

Serves: Grunthal, Kleefeld, Pansy, Sarto.

Application deadline: Nov. 30.

Email grunthalcommunitychristmas@gmail.com to sign up or call Jill Plett at 204-371-1394.

Morris

Serves: Morris, Lowe Farm, Rosenort, and surrounding areas

Application deadline: Dec. 7.

Register by calling Sherri Siemens at 204-712-6640 or by email at wssiem@gmail.com.

Niverville

Serves: Niverville, New Bothwell, Ste Agathe, Otterburne

Application deadline: Nov. 30.

Register by calling 204-392-5699 or by email at info@nivervillehelpinghands.org.

Hampers are delivered on Dec. 20 from 6-8 p.m. and include a small gift for children 18 and under.

Piney

Serves: Sprague, Vassar, South Junction, Menisino, Wampum, Piney, Middlebro.

Application deadline: Dec. 4.

Register by contacting John and Margie Prevost by email at margieprevost@me.com or prej@premiertech.com or phone at 204-437-2464. People can also contact Rob and Helen Dueck at rhdueck2017@gmail.com or 204-437-2258.

Donations can be made by cheque to PRCC (hampers) and mailed to Box 44, South Junction, MB, R0A 1Y0 or drop off at Carl and Kay’s Fine Foods. E-transfers can be sent to hampers@pineyregionalchamber.ca.

Reynolds

Serves: Hadashville, Prawda, McMunn, East Braintree, Rennie, Molson/Julius, Ste Rita, Reynolds Ponds, Whitemouth

Application deadline: 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2.

Register by calling Penny Samec at 204-268-0606 or by email at psamec@mymts.net.

Donations can be made by cash, e-transfer to reynoldsfoodbank@gmail.com or cheques mailed to Reynolds Food Bank, Box 86, Hadashville, MB. R0E 0X0.

Ritchot

Serves: Ile des Chenes, St Adolphe.

Application deadline: Dec. 2.

Register by calling Suzanne Tetreault at 204-878-3189 or Diane Aminot at 204-878-2455.

Ste Anne

Serves: Town of Ste Anne, RM of Ste Anne including Richer.

Application deadline: Dec. 1.

Register in writing with request forms found on www.accueilkatericentre.ca or at Burnell’s Food Plus in Richer. Completed forms can be left at Burnell’s or in the drop box in front of the food bank at 132 Centrale Avenue in Ste Anne.

Registered food bank clients are automatically on the list for Christmas hampers.

Recipients must pick up their hampers on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the food bank in Ste Anne between 10 a.m. and noon.

St Pierre

Serves: RM of De Salaberry, St Malo, Dufrost, Otterburne, St Pierre.

Application deadline: Nov. 28.

Register by calling Marcelle or Robert Lahaie at 204-433-7227 or by email at robmarlahaie@gmail.com or Helen Lafantaisie (St Malo) at 204-347-5654 or by email at h.lafantaisie@yahoo.com. Registration forms are available at St Malo Co-op and Village Connection in St Pierre. They can be mailed to Christmas Hampers, Box 428, St Pierre, R0A 1V0 or Christmas Hampers, Box 125, St Malo, R0A 1T0.

Tache

Serves: Lorette, Landmark, Ross, Ste Genevieve, Rosewood, Dufresne.

Application deadline: Dec. 12.

Register by calling Irene at 204-270-0273. Monetary and donations of non-perishable food, toys and gifts can be made by contacting Roger at 204-878-3675.

Vita

Serves: RM of Stuartburn including Arbakka, Caliento, Gardenton, Lonesand, Sirko, Stuartburn, Sundown, Vita.

Application deadline: Nov. 26.

Register by calling Sandra Drewniak at 204-425-3556.

Pickup and delivery takes place Dec. 17. Non-perishable donations can be dropped at Sumthing Special and monetary donations are accepted at the Vita Co-op or Access Credit Union.