Shown, in front, warehouse coordinator Kjell Graupe. Back, left to right, staff member Sarah La Greca, executive director Erin Katerynych, and Food Bank manager Blake Feist. (Submitted photo/Erin Katerynych)

By Angela Brown

Empty Stocking Fund

Many Christmas Hampers being handed out this year

Dec 22, 2021 | 5:21 PM

The Empty Stocking Fund Christmas Hamper program is seeing many more hampers being given out this year in the Battlefords.

Erin Katerynych, executive director of the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre, said over 300 families registered for Christmas Hampers that were distributed.

“The Empty Stocking Fund Christmas Hamper [program] was a success this year,” she said. “We had 325 families registered. That was over 1,000 people. This year, 54 per cent of those people were children who also received a toy.”

Katerynych said staff gave out about 560 toys to families, along with the Christmas Hampers on Dec. 20 and 21.

“We had lots of volunteers come from throughout the community that came down to help hand out the Christmas Hampers,” she said. “We helped people out to their vehicles. We provided free cab rides home for them. It was a huge success.”

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The hampers included turkeys or hams for people’s Christmas dinner.

In addition, staff made up some extra Christmas Hampers for people who did not previously register for a hamper. They gave out almost 50 of these hampers on Dec. 22, helping another 125 people, and will be doing that again on Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

However, all the toys have been given out already, as people had to register for these in advance.

“Our challenge was finding enough toys for everybody,” Katerynych said. “We get a lot of toys for a certain age group, like four to seven year olds. But for the teenagers, and babies and infants it is harder to find toys.”

As a result, staff ended up purchasing quite a few gift certificates to give the youth. Katerynych said it was fortunate the community provided so many donations as well, which also helped with the effort.

She said the number of Christmas Hampers distributed this year is much higher than in 2020.

“Compared to last year, we helped a lot more families,” Katerynych said.

She said it’s great being able to ensure that many families in need are able to receive foods and gifts to ensure they have a happy Christmas.

Katerynych added it’s wonderful to “share the joy.”

“That’s our model through the Christmas season through the Empty Stocking Fund,” she said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow