Please make a contribution to the Christmas Hamper program
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
Christmas hamper donations are now being accepted throughout the Smoky River Region, and FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) is asking for your help to make others’ Christmases merrier.
Each year, FCSS puts hamper depots at different locations around the region to ease the stress of the holiday season.
Depots are now located throughout the region.This year the hampers are located in Donnelly at Audet’s Confectionary, the Catholic Church, and Georges P. Vanier. Girouxville hampers are located at Caisse Horizon Credit Union, Club d’Etoile, and Paroisse Ste Anne.
McLennan will have hampers at Lakeview Foods, ATB Financial, Northern Lakes College and IDA Pharmacy and Flowers.
Falher’s donation depots are located at Caisse Horizon Credit Union, IGA, IDA Pharmacy and Flowers, Falher & District Co-op, Bargain Store, MacLeods True Value, Ecole Routhier, Ecole Heritage, Fields, ATB Financial, and St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
FCSS accepts donations right up until Dec. 17, when they pack the Christmas hampers for the families in the area who need assistance. FCSS is looking for cash donations, non-perishable food, or gifts for children.
All money donated is used to purchase food items to be used not only on Christmas day, but for the entire week.
The list of items FCSS needs to buy, includes: ham, margarine, milk, Christmas oranges, carrots and juices. FCSS aims at ensuring individuals will have enough food to get them through the entire week, not just Christmas day.
Are you in need of a hamper?
If you are in need of a hamper, FCSS event coordinator Jean Moore says you have to ensure you fill out the proper paper work.
“There are applications available at both FCSS offices, IDA Pharmacy in McLennan, and the town and village offices in the region,” says Moore.
Hampers will be assembled on Dec. 18 at the Chevaliers Centre in Falher.
The hampers will be made available to residents of Falher, Girouxville, Guy and Jean Cote at the Chevaliers Centre in Falher on Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
McLennan residents will be able to pick up their hampers at the Elks Hall on Dec. 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“This year it has been a real community effort,” says Moore. “We’ve had a lot of help from the Friendship Corner and individuals in the region.”
Moore reminds everybody that toys and gifts for children under 18 years of age will also be accepted. She says there is often a shortage of items for teenagers, which can include items such as watches, jewellery or games.
Cash donations will be accepted at the FCSS office in Town of Falher building or call Jean or Penny at the office at 780-837-2220.
Moore says the community support in years past has been outstanding
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