ST. PAUL - Christmas hampers will move head in St. Paul this holiday season thanks to the area's two FCSS departments stepping up to the plate.
Every year, the St. Paul Knights of Columbus members organize a Christmas hamper food drive. Working alongside Santa's Elves, families in need are given food and gifts to celebrate the holidays. But, this year the Knights have decided they are unable to do the hampers, due to the pandemic.
So, the Town of St. Paul FCSS and County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS departments have agreed to take on the hampers. A meeting is expected to be held early this week to iron out the details, but County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS Director Janice Fodchuk confirmed the hampers will indeed be put together.
With about 230 hampers put together last year, Fodchuk anticipates the need could be even greater this season. So far, there is enough funds in place for a portion of the hampers, thanks to unused school nutrition funding that St. Paul Education had dispersed to the FCSS departments.
The provincial funding wasn't used last school year for school nutrition, due to classes being cancelled in March. So, the province directed school divisions to disperse the funds, with the only condition being that they be used for nutrition purposes. The hampers are a perfect fit - since they will help families in need in the community.
While food drives at Christmas generally accept actual food donations for the hampers, this year, the focus will primarily be on monetary donations so that organizers can directly purchase the items needed.
Fodchuk also confirms that she has connected with the Santa's Elves, based out of the St. Paul Regional High School, and they too will be helping out.
Town of St. Paul FCSS Director Lynn Smid also noted that while she understood why the Knights had to step away from the cause this season, the need for the hampers remains. The Knights are expected to take over the initiative again, next year.
People are asked to stay tuned for more details on how to donate, and how to receive a hamper this Christmas.
