PREECEVILLE - Filling the Gap Christmas food hampers program is once again in full swing with collection boxes set up at various locations.
"Applications for Christmas hampers are out via the mail and school, and forms are now coming in. It will be business as usual with Christmas hampers," stated Karolyn Kosheluk, coordinator.
“For many of us, Christmas is truly a wonderful time of year, however for some families, their financial situation means that there is no extra money for Christmas celebrations. In our area, we have the annual Christmas Hamper program which is a joint project of Filling the Gap; the Sturgis, Preeceville and Endeavour Family Resource Centre (FRC), and the Preeceville and District Ministerial Association. The program reaches families in need in the communities of Sturgis, Preeceville, Endeavour, Buchanan, Stenen, Danbury, Hyas, Hazel Dell and Okla. This is an important way to help vulnerable families in our area so we will do whatever is needed to be able to continue to do that.
"Last year we helped 40 families and provided gifts to 60 children under the age of 16 years, and we would anticipate similar numbers this year," Kosheluk shared.
Support from businesses, individuals, and service groups is what makes it all happen. Filling the Gap runs entirely on donations and it’s amazing to watch all the food, toys, and money come in.
“We also accept all monetary donations,” Kosheluk continued. “About the middle of December the FRC and many volunteers gather together to sort the non-perishable food, and wrap the new gifts donated. The centre is then responsible for distributing them to those who need a hamper.”
Boxes are set up at numerous locations throughout Preeceville: The Town Office, Shop Easy, Paul’s Drugstore, Preeceville School, Gateway Co-op, Home Hardware. In Sturgis drop off points feature: 123 Care For Me Child Care, the Family Resource Centre, Sturgis Composite School and the Gateway Co-op. In Endeavour a box is set up at the Endeavour letter and liquor store. All credit unions in all the communities also have a box for donations set up.
If anyone would like to make pickup arrangements, they can leave a message at the office in Sturgis or text 306-814-8818. The local churches and ministerial association also do a huge part to collect donations and assemble hampers.
The program has been operating for numerous years and has helped many community members during the Christmas season.
The Filling the Gap program is also a year-long program that collects food and gives out hampers to the needy for the rest of the year. It provides a welcome source of assistance to everyone that requires a helping hand.
