Single people and seniors struggling financially can receive some help this holiday season thanks to the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper program.

More people are facing hardships due to various factors that have made daily life more expensive.

鈥淎 lot of individuals are paying over 50 per cent of their income towards shelter costs (rent and utilities). For our seniors, many have medical costs they have to cover and many times go without because they don鈥檛 have enough monies to cover the extra costs,鈥� said Andrea Voss, the family services coordinator with the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope.

She oversees the hamper program and has seen the need spike.

鈥淲e helped over 500 people with Christmas Hampers鈥� in 2022, she said. 鈥淲ith the cost of everything increasing 鈥� especially the cost of rent and food I can see our numbers going up this year.鈥�

The hampers provide food, including a holiday meal, that recipients could not otherwise afford.

鈥淥ur hampers will basically be the same as previous years. They will contain non-perishable food as well as frozen items. Each will hamper will receive a roasting chicken for Christmas,鈥� she said.

Eligible are single people and couples without children under the age of 18, as well as seniors.

鈥淎ll hampers will, again, be delivered this year. It鈥檚 easier for all of of us and our recipients to deliver the hampers,鈥� Voss added.

Registrations are being accepted until Friday, Dec. 8. The program also reaches out to local social service agencies to help spread the word.

鈥淥ur demographic is quite mixed,鈥� Voss said. 鈥淚 know we have a lot of seniors struggling due to the rising costs of living. We still have a demographic of seniors who are too proud to ask for the help. But please, if something like a hamper will help alleviate your food costs this season, please reach out. We are seeing university students register as well as families with just adult children at home who are finding it tough.鈥�

To register, people can go on the gateway of hope website, stop by the office at 5787 91原创 Bypass, or call 604-514-7375. They can also email Voss at andrea.voss@salvationarmy.ca to register or with any questions.

Voss is also the person to contact for anyone wanting to donate to the hampers or other Gateway of Hope initiatives.

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