Kinettes ramping up big plans for annual Xmas hampers

When it comes to bringing gifts of food at Christmas, the name to remember isn’t Santa Claus. It’s the St. Albert Kinettes.

The local service group has been making house calls and delivering these welcome but surprise packages for 45 years. Now preparing for the 46th annual Christmas hamper campaign, spokesperson Erica Samis says that it’s looking to be another busy season. More help is needed.

“Every year, we do more hampers and more hampers,” she emphasized, talking about how sponsors have helped to fill the need. “On our food drives, we collect a lot of food; however, there’s always staples that we supply to each food hamper.

She thanked Apex Casino, Edmonton Potato Growers and the St. Albert Gazette for sponsoring the campaign by purchasing turkeys, potatoes and hams.

“We supply buns, sugar, flour, a pound of margarine, a block of cheese, a pound of coffee… staples like that. What would be great is if we could have a couple extra corporate sponsors to sponsor part of or a full staple item. That way we can concentrate on adding to our hampers other items that make it more nutritionally balanced and varied.”

Samis mentioned that the kickoff for the campaign would take place at St. Albert Centre on Saturday, Nov. 24 and will last until Dec. 12. The Fill-a-Bus event will occur from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 with locations at both Safeway and Save-On locations, Sobeys, Canadian Tire, Walmart and Superstore.

She thanked St. Albert Transit and Hole’s Greenhouses for their support as well. The Kinettes will be able to conduct their hamper program from the centralized location of the greenhouse floor, thanks to that business’s gracious gift of space.

“Because we have this new location, it’s just going to be a lot better for co-ordinating and it’ll be a lot easier for volunteer deliveries because you only have to come to one area. It also gives us a better sense of our organization too. Now, we’re able to be in one area together as a club, which is really important. We only have 12 members.”

Before the hampers happen, the Kinettes are also hosting a gala fundraiser on the first weekend of November. The Prince and the Pauper will feature fine food by NAIT’s culinary program and a talent contest hosted by Stephen Lecky and Jessy Mossop.

“It’ll be fantastic!” she exclaimed. “It’s not a comedy event! We’re just really hoping that the community comes out and supports that event. I think it’ll be a fun evening.”

There will also be a live auction. All of the funds from the event will go to the hamper program. Last year, the group supported more than 240 families with hampers.

Anyone who is interested in helping out by volunteering for the campaign, or who wishes to offer a sponsorship, can call 780-702-9998 or email [email protected].