ST. PAUL – Preparations are underway in the St. Paul region as the community gets ready for the season of giving.
Spearheading a tradition aimed at spreading joy throughout the community, the St. Paul Regional Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is gearing up for the annual Community Christmas Hampers program.
The program is a two-in-one, with the “food hamper” being the food portion, and the “Santa’s Elves Toy Drive” collecting monetary donations for items like toys, clothing, and books for children and youth.
Christmas hampers
For food hampers, organizers have partnered with local grocery stores to gather the necessary ingredients to ensure families have what they need for a Christmas meal, explains Lynn Smid, the director of St. Paul Regional FCSS.
Registrations for those in need of a food hamper will be open from Nov. 13 to Dec. 14, which is also when donations are accepted for the program. The actual delivery of the hampers will be Dec. 19.
The food hamper program is entirely donation-based, and the community's generosity is vital to its success, says Smid. Residents who wish to make monetary donations and need a receipt for their contribution can visit either the Elk Point or St. Paul FCSS offices.
As for registration for hamper, it’s simple, says Smid. "They can give us a call, [and] they can refer themselves. It doesn't have to be somebody else referring on their behalf.”
In Elk Point, the Community Lions of Elk Point put the food hampers together, but St. Paul FCSS will still be responsible for registrations.
To register, St. Paul-based residents can call the St. Paul FCSS office at 780- 645-5311, while Elk Point-based residents can call the Elk Point FCSS office at 780-724-3800.
It's a wonderful time of year to appreciate what "you have," says Smid, as well as a time to reflect on knowing there may be others that may not have the same.
“You have the opportunity to spread some joy by giving.”
Toy drive
The Christmas hamper program is two-fold and includes a toy drive. FCSS has again partnered with St. Paul Regional High School this year to ensure all children receive a gift at Christmas. The high school is responsible for handling all toy donations.
While monetary donations are encouraged, allowing Santa’s Elves to purchase specific items for the needs of the children in the community, all donations are accepted.
Group donations are also accepted. “Set up a donation box or collect money within your office or organization and donate it to the school for purchasing gifts,” reads a recommendation on the FCSS website.
Donations for Santa’s Elves will be accepted at the St. Paul Regional High School’s main office.
E-transfers can be sent to [email protected] before Dec. 14 at noon. For more inquiries, members of the community can contact the school at 780-645-4491.
