La Ronge's Kikinahk Friendship Centre is fighting back against hunger this holiday season. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

food security

Available Christmas hampers at Kikinahk nearly triple in recent years

Nov 28, 2023 | 2:54 PM

An annual Christmas hamper program run by La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre will fill the bellies of more northerners this holiday season than ever before.

The application period for the program is now open with the board expecting to deliver 400 hampers at the cost of $56,000 in 2023. That’s up from 300 hampers at around $30,000 in 2022 and up from 140 hampers at $9,000 in 2019.

“There are that many people who are really needing food. It’s really increased,” Kikinahk Executive Director Ron Woytowich said.

“We noticed that with the food money that we got the last couple of years because of COVID, there were a lot of families and seniors who were really short of food. With the cost of food rising big time, they were short of the basic necessities in a lot of cases.”

The hampers, which are made possible through federal funding, will include hams, vegetables, fruit, bread, butter, eggs and more. The application period is open until Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. and those applying must be from Air Ronge, La Ronge or those living on immediate (adjacent) Lac La Ronge Indian Band reserves.

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Application forms can be picked up at Kikinahk and must be dropped off there as well.

Woytowich explained the Kikinahk board decided to go with hams this year because many of the people who access the program will likely be receiving turkeys from the band or local agencies. He noted seniors living in senior residences will receive a smaller ham compared to local families.

“It’s a lot more work and, quite frankly, we are short on staff compared to other years, but there’s just been a massive increase in need,” Woytowich said.

Those applying must have children younger than 18 living at home and hampers will be limited to one per household. Low-income seniors as welcome to apply but must be expecting family for Christmas.

Deliveries will occur Dec. 19 and 20 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

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Available Christmas hampers at Kikinahk nearly triple in recent years

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