Left to right: McKenna Mcammond, Niah Shakako, Romy Schafer, and Piper MacFarlane show off some donations dropped off during the first Community Christmas Food Drive. (Submitted Photo/Kelly Loken)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Toy Drive

Fourth annual Christmas food drive open for donations in Meadow Lake

Nov 14, 2023 | 5:44 PM

The fourth annual Community Christmas Food Drive in Meadow Lake is back and, this time, Victim Services and the RCMP are joining forces.

“It centers around adopting a family for Christmas and just collecting food and toy donations that we can donate around the community to people to have a brighter Christmas,” said co-organizer Kelly Loken.

She and Community Program Officer Victoria Seng-Low took on the challenge after the RCMP’s Youth Advisory Committee had to pass it over due to prior engagements.

“People are so generous and they’re so willing to help and everybody wants to know what they can do and how they can contribute,” she said.

Since they began putting the call out earlier this month, the team has drawn a lot of attention and she said having drop boxes at local businesses and making emails and phone numbers available has helped.

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“There’s so many people that just want to give, but I don’t think they know how to in some circumstances.”

The drive is just the latest in the community’s social outreach initiatives. A few weeks ago, the Door of Hope Jail N Bail Fundraiser was claimed a success after Victim Services raised over $9,800 for the organization.

“It’s just kind of snowballed from there and kept going so, after that, we started this and it’s been of those things that keeps feeding off of each other,” said Loken.

The organizers are also hoping to put together some packages for the homeless and are also looking for some warm winter gear, hot chocolate mix, cookies, and anything they can use.

Initially, Loken was nervous about putting the request out to the public but given the response, she said it’s been “Amazing to see.”

To sponsor or adopt a family for the holidays, people can reach out to either Seng-Low or Loken.

“They’re matched up with the families that have been nominated to us confidentially. The names are never released, it’s all very generic,” said Loken.

The only information the donors may get would be something along the lines of a family of four with a mom, dad, and two children – both boys between certain ages. At the moment there are about eight nominated families, but Loken said they expect that number to double.

“There have been people that have mentioned things, but they haven’t called to confirm anything, so I feel like we’re probably looking at closer to 15 or 20,” she added.

“The fact that people are calling in or texting us or emailing us and saying, ‘This person needs some help,’ means that we have a lot of community members that are very aware of what’s going on and very concerned about other people.”

While it’s heartbreaking that some people are struggling, Loken said it’s also heartwarming to know her community has taken it upon themselves to look after each other.

“There are so many people out there that are willing to help out their time, financially, donations, just to give anything that they can to help us with succeeding in making other people’s (lives) a little easier.”

In addition, there will be two Stuff-A-Cruiser events. One will be at No Frills (828 9th St W) on Nov. 18 and the other at Co-op Food Store (107 2 Ave W) on Nov. 30.

For more information or to donate, people can call 306-240-8303 or email Kelly.loken@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

OnX: @jls194864