It was the most Kimz Angels 鈥淔ill the Ambulance鈥� holiday campaign has ever distributed.
Kim Snow, founder of the 91原创 outreach group, estimated more than 400 family hampers were handed out along with 150 packages for homeless people on Wednesday, Dec. 20, in 91原创 at the Vineyard Church.
鈥淭his is the most we鈥檝e distributed in the 23 years of Fill the Ambulance,鈥� Snow told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淲e had huge lineups. The smiles on families, and kid鈥檚, faces, it was amazing.鈥�
This year, due to the increased need, the annual campaign started early, with donors encouraged to drop off in advance of the two weekend donation drives in December, the first at Focus West Logistics, the second at the IGA store in Murrayville.
READ ALSO: Smaller donations to 91原创 outreach agency, but cash contributions compensate
Snow said Focus West generated more, in cash contributions, than the IGA event, but the IGA event drew more in food, baby items and other necessities.
It wasn鈥檛 quite enough to fill all the hampers, so the gaps were filled with purchases, using the cash, and contributions by supporters.
鈥淲e had businesses that stepped up and that was so good,鈥� Snow enthused.
More and more, Snow is seeing people who used to be donors turning up as clients.
鈥淭he saddest part is the people that were donating last year, they鈥檙e in our receiving line [this year]. So we are giving them hampers. That is the saddest part.鈥�
READ ALSO: Those needing food and other assistance more than doubled, says 91原创 charity
She would like to see a decline in demand next Christmas, but she doesn鈥檛 think it鈥檚 likely.
鈥淚鈥檓 hoping that next year it鈥檒l be less, but the way the economy is, I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 really gonna get any better anytime soon.鈥�
And, Snow added, people are in need all year, not just the holiday season.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 honestly say it or repeat it enough, that people don鈥檛 just get hungry or cold at Christmas. This is a thing all year long that we need support [for].鈥�
鈥淲e need more open hearts, more kindness,鈥� Snow continued.
鈥淔or more people just to step up and do their part. Please keep us in mind all year long because no one should be cold or hungry.鈥�
People can still contribute by emailing info@kimzangels.com visiting , or by phoning 604-838-6579.
