Christmas Programs 2009

In December, Interfaith Food Bank was able to provide 1074 adults and 873 children in Lethbridge with the supplies necessary for a happy holiday. Working jointly with the Lethbridge Food Bank and Salvation Army, we were able to provide 1954 households with food hampers complete with Christmas fixings, and 1052 children age 12 and under received toy bundles so they might have something special under the tree on Christmas morning. Thanks to the support received through community donations, 5436 individuals were assisted this Christmas.

We are grateful for the generosity of community members who recognize the need to support one another, and appreciate the time and effort you put into organizing events and collections to benefit Interfaith Food Bank.

Christmas Hampers: We are collecting supplies for our regular monthly food allotments and supplies necessary for Christmas Meals, which include turkey/ham and all the fixings, Christmas treats and breakfast and lunch options. You can contribute by donating the supplies necessary for building these hampers, or by offering a cash donation to purchase the necessary items - $150 will cover supplies for a medium family, $200 will take care of a large family.

Adopt-A-Family Program: Choose to adopt a family this Christmas, and do their shopping for them! Donors contact Interfaith Food Bank and we will provide the age and gender of each family member. Donors then purchase all necessary supplies, then drop off their bundle of cheer at Interfaith for us to distribute to the chosen family.

For those who choose to shop – please contact Interfaith for a list of items to include with your bundle.

For those who do not have time to shop – we will do the work for you; simply make a donation designated for one of the following:

Family of 2 - $100; Family of 3-4 - $150; Family of 5-6 - $200;

Family of 7-8 - $250

Follow the Star Program: Make a pledge to “follow” a single parent and his/her child(ren) through the colder winter months. This parent will be provided with a larger hamper, as he/she applies, during January, February and March, in addition to receiving a plentiful Christmas Hamper and gifts for the children in December. You may also choose to add a basket of fresh vegetables, provided through partnership with the Community Good Food Club, for an additional $15 per month (add at your discretion, for more information please contact our office).

One cheque covers the family for 4 months!

Follow a single parent with one or two children - $300

Follow a single parent with three or four children - $400

Follow a single parent with five or more children - $500

The Gift of Giving: Do you have someone hard to buy for? Interfaith Food Bank will issue a charitable tax receipt for a person of your choice for you to give as a gift. We enclose the charitable tax receipt in an attractive Christmas card for you to mail or hand deliver, and your gift is giving to a family who will benefit from your generousity.

Under the Tree Toy & Gift Program: Put a tree up in your office, church, school or business and encourage others to bring food, toys, goodies, or stocking stuffers for children under 12 years of age. No room for a tree? We will provide you with a decorative bin to collect items on behalf of Interfaith Food Bank, and will even pick it up when it is full. Please do not wrap gifts, and we would like to have bins returned between December 7-15^th. Encourage others to be a “Secret Santa” for families in need.

Please visit www.ChristmasHope.ca to check out our progress on Christmas as Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank and Salvation Army join forces to ensure Christmas for all.