Where would 100 hungry families be at Christmas without a few kind strangers providing them with a meal?
For many years, the communities of Morinville, RiviÈre-Qui-Barre and Mearns have relied upon the generosity of the many to help the few to get through the winter. The Knights of Columbus – Ste. Anne Council #5010 has expanded its Christmas hamper campaign. The project works to first raise money and goods to provide food and gift hampers for approximately 100 families throughout the area.
Henry Lamoureux is the project co-ordinator. He says there have never been fewer than 85 families who needed help. Hunger is the sort of thing that will always be there and that's why the hampers must exist as well.
"It fills the need. It was designed to provide a good meal for Christmas Day," he started.
The original intent, he went on, was simply to get struggling families through that one day of the year, but the program has been expanded to include children's gifts.
Jerry Kaup regularly volunteers to help make sure that the hampers get to the recipients. Those moments are often filled with emotions that run from one extreme to the other.
"There are so many people that you come to. You bring the hamper in … one box you bring in and they're quite happy to see it."
He further explained that the hampers are often very large, especially if there are children getting gifts. The reactions are usually what keeps him coming back year after year to help out.
"You should see their eyes light up! The parents will be crying sometimes because there's one more box and then another box. That's the reward. Some first timers are the best when they see the size of the hamper and they're excited because they really needed it."
How to help
The group is once again canvassing for support from local citizens, businesses and organizations. Lamoureux is asking for donations of money, plus nutritious, non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped children's toys. He says that since each hamper costs about $60 to $70, the Knights need to raise several thousand dollars in cash and goods.
The list of drop-off sites includes The Helping Hand Store, Bumper to Bumper/Home Hardware, Our Place – FCSS, Town of Morinville, Sobeys, Scotiabank, Royal Bank, Servus Credit Union and the No Frills store.
Financial contributions can be sent to the St. Jean Baptiste Church.
People needing assistance, or requiring more information can call the Town of Morinville at 780-939-4361 or the Drop-In Centre at 780-939-3953 no later than Friday, Dec.16. The hampers are scheduled to be distributed between 4 and 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19.
