The Salvation Army is preparing to launch its annual Christmas campaigns and is encouraging residents to volunteer and donate to ensure people facing difficulties with cost-of-living increases can have a joyful holiday.
The application and interview process for food hampers commences on Monday, Nov. 20 and runs until Friday, Dec. 1. The interviews occur at the non-profit’s First Avenue Northeast office from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
To receive a hamper, all applicants must provide proof of income, proof of address and identification of all family members.
There is a thorough process to ensure applicants receive a hamper, which includes determining whether families need toys for kids. If so, parents may need to visit the Salvation Army Church to shop for an age- or sex-appropriate toy.
In 2021, the Salvation Army distributed 345 Christmas hampers that helped 745 people — including 312 children.
In 2022, the organization distributed 756 hampers to families, plus an extra 69 to new immigrant families who applied through the Multicultural Council.
The Salvation Army acknowledged that the number of families and people it helped last year more than doubled from 2021.
“We’re anticipating it will be higher this year,” said Tammi Pinay-Ross, the family services co-ordinator and kettle campaign co-ordinator.
Stocking campaign
The Stocking Campaign launches on Wednesday, Nov. 15 and runs until Wednesday, Dec. 27. This is a joint effort with the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com, where the Express newspaper is the drop-off for donations.
Last year, the Stocking Campaign’s goal was $5,000, and it ended up collecting $7,761.10; this year’s goal is the same as last year’s.
The Moose Jaw Express will also insert envelopes in the Nov. 22 issue as part of a separate Christmas appeal campaign. Donors can bring the envelopes to the Salvation Army office downtown or mail them.
Kettle Campaign
The Kettle Campaign kickoff is Friday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. at Superstore.
There will be six traditional kettles throughout the community and two smaller kettles near cashiers’ tills. The organization needs volunteers who can give two hours per shift; shifts start at 10 a.m. and finish at 9 p.m.
The Salvation Army’s goal last year was $65,000; it raised $59,034.21.
This year’s goal is $70,000.
Toy drive
The Canadian Tire toy drive occurs from Thursday, Nov. 30 to Saturday, Dec. 2. Individuals or companies can drop off new, unwrapped toys at the store, while the Salvation Army will use those toys for the hampers.
Teddy bear toss
The teddy bear toss takes place Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Warriors’ home game. Fans can bring unwrapped stuffed animals and toss them onto the ice when the team scores.
Adopt-a-family program
Businesses, families or individuals can adopt a needy family that has applied for assistance. Sponsors can support a small, medium or large family; a small is a single parent with one child; a medium is parents with up to three kids; and a large is parents with over four children.
The organization no longer accepts actual hampers with food due to space limitations and dietary restrictions, but instead distributes gift cards so families can shop for themselves, said Pinay-Ross.
Furthermore, sponsors will not actually present the gift card to the families due to confidentiality issues. Instead, they can deliver the gift to the Salvation Army’s downtown office, and the families can pick up the monetary cards.
Adopters can donate any amount on the gift card, but the charity encourages them to give a new gift worth roughly $50 for each child under 14, said Pinay-Ross. For youths over 14, sponsors can give a gift card — which many do.
“The adopt-a-program is vital to assisting our community. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the adopt-a-family program,” she added.
Anyone interested in volunteering can call 306-692-5899.
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