Holiday hampers were ready for pickup at the Salvation Army chapel Tuesday. Photo by Dennis Chippa.
The Salvation Army chapel’s basement on McIntyre Street was a busy place Tuesday,, as the annual Christmas hamper campaign hit its peak.
Over 600 hampers were handed out to those singles or couples who were in need.
Jackie McLeod is a member of the Salvation Army and a long-time volunteer with the hamper campaign.
She says she loves to do it.
‘I moved to North Bay when I was 8 and Salvation Army has always been my church. I like to do some kind of volunteer work at Christmastime.”
Inside the hamper was a wide range of food, like bread, milk, either a turkey or ham, cereal, cookies, everything for a holiday meal and then groceries for several more days.
It is similar to the hamper campaign that would be run by the Santa Fund.
Jackie says the difference with these hampers is that it isn’t going to families.
“Singles, couples, seniors. L.I.P.I. and the Santa Fund look after the people with children. But the people that are kind of forgotten are who we help.”
The process is the same, involving an application and a needs assessment.
However, in some cases, people in need showed up, unaware that the hampers were available, until it was too late to apply. .
McLeod says that’s taken care of as well, as in that case, the application process is handled on site, even during pick-up day.
“We’ve ordered extra food, so people who missed out can still apply, and have a hamper today.”
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Meantime, at the other side of town, the other part of the Salvation Army’s campaign continued.
Staff and volunteers continued to operate the Red Kettles, hoping to get closer to their fundraising goal of 115 thousand dollars.
What may not be commonly known is that the money raised goes for more than just the campaign.
McLeod says it takes care of many other programs.
‘The money that we raised through the kettles the month of December and the end of November. It goes to pay for everything throughout the whole year. All the programs that he Salvation Army does.”
The hampers were handed out by late afternoon, making sure even folks living alone without children, will still have a happy holiday, while at the same time ensuring them they are not forgotten, at least by the Salvation Army.
