The 200-plus donation boxes have been decorated with festive wrapping paper and deployed throughout the community awaiting your donations.
Now, it’s up to you.
Over the next few weeks, the Cloverdale Christmas Hamper Program is accepting donations of non-perishable food and other items.
Now in its 19th year, the campaign is run by a coalition of various local churches, businesses, schools and other community organizations.
Program lead Scott Napier says there’s always a tremendous response from local schools, particularly Clayton Heights Secondary School.
Along with much-needed donations from the public, the campaign relies on an army of volunteers who collect and sort donations, or assemble hampers – a massive undertaking.
Last year, the program served more than 250 families and individuals.
The hampers are packed with fresh vegetables and fruits, a turkey or a ham, plus canned goods like tuna, peanut butter, and kitchen staples such as flour and sugar.
The Cloverdale Christmas Hamper Program serves the Cloverdale area from 88 Avenue south to 32 Avenue and from 196 Street west to 152 Street.
Suggested donations include non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables and fruit, soup, crackers, snacks, canned meat or fish, condiments, pasta, rice, grocery and food gift certificates, toiletries and personal care items, gloves, socks and scarves.
Organizers are also seeking donations of new, unwrapped children’s toys and gifts for children aged birth to 12 and for youths aged 13-17 (suggested donations are mall or store gift cards for teens).
Cash donations are also accepted. Make cheques payable to Pacific Community Church; drop them off in person or mail them to the CCHP c/o Pacific Community Church, 5337 180 Street, Surrey B.C., V3S 4K5. Tax receipts will be issued.
Application deadline for recipients is Monday, Dec. 6.
Hampers filled with food, toys and even personal items like socks are picked up by recipients on Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pacific Community Church’s warehouse at 5337 180 Street.
Volunteers during Hamper Weeks (Dec. 6 to 18) are also needed.
For more information, please call 604-574-4001 Ext. 107 or email cloverdalechristmashampers@gmail.com.
Application forms are also available online at the program’s website: CloverdaleChristmasHampers.Wordpress.com.