Kerrobert Food bank is preparing Christmas hampers
By Joan Janzen
Everyone wants their Christmas season to be merry and bright, and the folks at the Kerrobert Food Bank are helping make it possible. Every year, the local food bank provides Christmas hampers for those needing a little extra help at this festive time.
Carol Grosskopf from the Kerrobert Food Bank said the food bank handed out food vouchers last year instead of hampers. “I think it was popular because that way people get to choose what they bought. We haven’t decided if we’ll do it this year or not, but we may,” Carol said. On average, the food bank hands out sixteen hampers each year.
These are made possible through monetary donations and people dropping off donations in a box located at the local food store. The school also did a food drive earlier this month, which will be used for the December hampers.
“We usually hand out hampers the week before Christmas. We haven’t set a date because we’re waiting to see how many we have,” Carol explained. “They have to phone and let us know by December 6th.”
To help with Christmas meal preparations, the hampers include a choice of a turkey or ham, vegetables, cranberry sauce, stovetop stuffing, bread, buns and a dessert. Each hamper also consists of the usual canned goods, fresh or frozen vegetables, fruit, cereal and other items, which will provide for the month.
“We keep in contact with the food banks in Unity, Kerrobert, Kindersley and Luseland,” Carol said. Hamper recipients choose one of these food banks from which to receive a hamper. “We provide a list of families and ages of kids, and then the United Church purchases the gifts which we hand out with the hampers.”
Kerrobert United Church provides the free use of a room for the food bank, along with a deep freeze, without having to pay for utilities. The local food bank also serves Dodsland and area, which includes both families and singles.
“We have a very supportive community. We’re also fortunate that we live in a community that has oil companies that definitely help out,” Carol said.
When asked how long she has been volunteering at the food bank, Carol chuckled, “Oh gosh! I don’t remember, probably 25 years. Right now, most of the volunteers aren’t getting any younger. It would be nice to have some young couples and have some men involved.” It’s something to keep in mind for anyone interested in giving back to the community. Carol would love to hear from any interested volunteers, and anyone who wants to receive a hamper can also call her at 306-834-2376.
