Everybody knows that Santa Claus doesn’t work alone. Sure, he takes all of the glory on Christmas Eve, but there is a factory full of elves working behind the scenes to make sure that everything comes together.
Consider the nine members of the St. Albert Kinettes to be honorary elves. The local chapter of the nationwide service club has once again launched its annual Christmas hamper campaign. Every year they spend a few weeks collecting food and toy donations from drop-off spots around the city. Without their work, 200 or more families would go hungry and struggle to stay cheerful in the jolly season.
“We know the spirit of giving is strong in St. Albert,” stated Kinette chair Karen Mehok.
She’s hoping to rally those who can give to do so by helping with the campaign. Shoppers at various spots around town can find the drop-off bins where they can put their donations of food and toys: St. Albert Centre, both Save-On-Foods locations, the Real Canadian Superstore, Sobeys, St. Albert Place, all three city high schools (Bellerose, Paul Kane and St. Albert Catholic), the St. Albert Business and Visitors Centre, and some bank locations. The St. Albert Gazette office at 25 Chisholm Avenue is also accepting donations until Monday, Dec. 12.
Club member Donna Lefebvre hopes that people dig deep. After all, she says, the recipients of the hampers could be your friends, your neighbours, even your family. Times are tough and more people find themselves in need every year. That’s evident from the volume of goods already collected.
“I think we’re already seeing that the donations are less than what they used to be,” she admitted.
The campaign launched last Saturday but often people don’t start giving until November is over. Mehok and Lefebvre hope that momentum only builds from here.
The primary goal of the campaign is to bring in new and unopened food donations. It runs the gamut from staples to the seasonal:
• Basic food items including canned beans, dry beans and lentils, canned meats and fish, canned fruits and vegetables (including tomatoes, salsa and pasta sauce), dried pasta, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, powdered milk, cereal, oatmeal, school snacks (including fruit cups, granola bars, fruit snacks, juice boxes), rice, soups (either dry or in cans), stews and chili. The Kinettes remind the public that the most needed items are always the same.
They also encourage donors to also think about giving food items for special holiday meals including hot chocolate mixes and/or chocolate milk syrups, marshmallows, powdered dessert toppings, coffee, tea, canned hams, cranberry sauce, stuffing, instant potatoes or pastas, dried gravy and sauces, packages of dry mixes for various desserts and treats (cookies, cakes, brownies, bars, muffins and pancakes), pre-mixed frostings, canned mandarin oranges, dried fruits and nuts, boxes of chocolates and candy canes, plus snacks like cookies, potato chips and crackers.
• Baby items including infant formula and baby food either in jars or boxes, plus new packages of diapers and pull-ups and baby wipes.
• Personal care items including hair brushes, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, deodorant, soap, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, paper towels and toilet paper.
• Household cleaners including laundry detergent, dish detergent and other cleaning supplies.
After all of that, the second goal of the campaign is to acquire new, unwrapped gifts for children of all ages, meaning infants to teens. Often the most overlooked donations are the ones that are appropriate for the older kids.
“We are extremely grateful for any donation, but our biggest needs are gifts for teenagers – specifically boys and girls aged 14 to 16,” explained Karen Mehok, the chair of the local club.
She and Lefebvre suggested gift packs of toiletries, or small electrical appliances like hair dryers or curling irons.
Of course if you can’t make up your mind what to donate, the Kinettes are more than happy to accept monetary donations as well. Financial donations by cash or cheque can be dropped off at Fire Hall #3 located at 100 Giroux Road. Donations of $20 or more are tax deductible.
Cheques can also be mailed to:
Kinette Club of St. Albert
Christmas Hamper Program
P.O. Box 65064, Mission Hill Plaza
St. Albert, AB T8N 5Y3
If you want to know more about the hampers or wish to offer a few hours of your time as a volunteer, please email [email protected] or contact Mehok at 780-418-3930.
If you want to know more about the Kinettes, please visit www.stalbertkinettes.ca.
