Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 18/00) - Thanks to the Salvation Army, hundreds of families in the NWT will have food on the table and gifts under the tree once again this Christmas.
The Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program helps less fortunate Northerners from Fort Simpson to Lutsel K'e and all points in between.
Participating families receive food hampers and donated gifts from schools, businesses, government offices and individuals who want to lend a helping hand.
The Salvation Army collects food items throughout the year, but when December rolls around it's time for the annual Christmas Blitz -- that's when everyone gets involved in collecting items for the needy. An average of 600 food hampers are distributed in the NWT every Christmas.
Outside of Yellowknife, communities that benefit from the Christmas Assistance Program are Fort Liard, Wrigley, Nahanni Butte, Fort Providence, Fort Rae, Fort Simpson, Rae Lakes, Wha Ti, Lutsel K'e and Dettah.
Salvation Army Captain Al Hoeft said the Christmas Assistance Program is a great help for needy families during the Christmas season.
"If you're in need, when Christmas time rolls around the the need is always that much more magnified."
David Shed, co-ordinator of the Christmas Assistance Program in Rae-Edzo for the past four years, said the demand for food hampers in that community has grown.
"We handed out 40 hampers when we got started and this year we're scheduled to hand out 60, but we'll probably hand out more than that," he said.
Part of the reason for an increase in demand is because more people are finding out about their involvement in the program, he believes.
However, one thing is for certain -- the Christmas Assistance Program has made the Christmas season much more joyful for the community at large.
"Some families just haven't had anything for Christmas, so we give them the turkey and the food and we've also been able to get a few toys for those who really don't have anything."
