It was a record-breaking year for the Bonnyville Christmas Hamper program.
With over 300 hampers delivered to families in need throughout the region, the Knights of Columbus saw their busiest season yet.
“The Christmas Hamper program has been in place for 35 years or more,” explained Gene Sobolewski, local hamper coordinator.
Sobolewski believes the jump from last year's 278 hampers is "because of the double-whammy of the economic times that we're in."
In 2016, the Knights of Columbus prepared 230 hampers, and the year prior delivered 180.
"There is a lot of hardship out there,” continued Sobolewski.
Since its inception, the Christmas Hamper program has grown to include more than just a meal. With the help of the Bonnyville Centralized High School's (BCHS) Santa's Elves initiative, hampers now include gifts for boys and girls 17-years-old and under.
“We collect an application form and they tell us whether there are gifts required or not and whether they need a hamper,” detailed Sobolewski.
Each hamper includes a turkey, ham, potatoes, desserts, and all of the fixings in order to make a full Christmas meal, in addition to any gifts.
For over three decades it has continued to grow locally, offering hampers to families in need living in Bonnyville, Beaverdam, Goodridge, Glendon, Ardmore, Fort Kent, Marie Lake, Wolf Lake, Crane Lake, and the surrounding areas.
Sobolewski said, "We cover a very wide area. The benefit is we’re lending a helping hand. We’re helping others, and that’s so important."
Aside from food and toys, the Knights of Columbus also accepts monetary donations through the initiative. The funds they raise are split between the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre, Healthy Babies, and the food bank.
“The community support... is phenomenal. I think this is one (program) where everyone really rallies together for this particular cause because it’s so close to so many people,” expressed Sobolewski. “There’s at least someone within the community that knows somebody that’s either a family, individual, or single mom, whatever the case may be, that are in hard times and are struggling. This provides a nice soulful respite to the hardships they may be facing."
He took a moment to thank the area for pulling together for families in need of help this holiday season.
“I just want to thank the community once again for their generosity and for the volunteer spirit. Within an hour, we had all of our delivery addresses handed out, which is phenomenal considering we had so many to deliver. People came out to help and it was an amazing thing to watch and be a part of."
