Donations for the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-family Christmas program are falling short this year.
For many, the holiday season is a time of family and togetherness, and the extra costs that go to purchase food, gifts and outings are a planned-for part of their family budget.
But for a few, the costs that go along with the holidays are a source of stress and anxiety, due to the pressure of not wanting to come up short for their family, at a time when expectations are so high.
The Salvation Army Caring Place in Maple Ridge operates an Adopt-A-Family program to assist vulnerable families in having the best Christmas possible.
Last year, the Caring Place, along with community sponsors, assisted 47 families with gifts and food packages for Christmas Day.
Families are referred to the Caring Place from community agencies, and the referral is then assessed based on family size and composition.
Although there are other agencies in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows that assist families at Christmas, the Salvation Army recognizes that some people feel reluctant to ask for help, and attempts to address this need so that no family is left behind.
This year, Adopt-A-Family needs are coming up short in some areas, and the organization is appealing to the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for their support.
Gift items:
• gift cards for teens (movies, Subway, Coquitlam Centre, iTunes);
• new unwrapped toys for children preschoolers to tweens;
• new children’s clothing.
Non-perishable food items:
• canned corn, peas, cranberry sauce;
• crackers;
• gravy mix;
• stuffing mix;
• juice;
• frozen mixed vegetables and turkeys.
Other items:
• nuts;
• chocolate;
• candy canes;
• hot chocolate;
• shortbread;
• tea and coffee.
Adopt-A-Family packages are assembled in the two weeks prior to Christmas and are delivered by The Caring Place staff and volunteers in time for Christmas Day.
• For more information on the Adopt-A-Family program, please contact Connie at 604-463-8296 x 112 or connie.mcgonigal@caringplace.ca.