Hay River (Dec 22/03) - Food banks and other charitable organizations are busy getting ready for the Christmas season.

Edna Dow, co-ordinator of Hay River's Secret Santa, says collections were slow until the middle of last week when donations started pouring in.

"They're just coming in really good and it's wonderful," Dow says.

"Hay River always comes through and I always try not to worry but I always do," she said.

Secret Santa provides hampers to needy families. The hampers include a turkey, toys for the kids and food items for three days.

By late last week, Secret Santa had prepared 128 hampers. The organizers expect to be collecting donations until at least Dec. 22.

"There's always the emergency hamper," Dow said.

Collections have also been going well at the Extended Hand in Fort Smith.

"People are fairly generous in Fort Smith and we're well known in town," said Pastor John Emerson of the Fort Smith Pentecostal Church, which operates The Extended Hand, whose main Christmas project is the delivery of food hampers on Dec. 24.

Emerson estimates that hampers will be delivered to between 90 and 120 families this year.

"Those who need a hamper are welcome to come to The Extended Hand and put in an application."

The hamper includes a turkey, a ham, non-perishable food items and toys for children, he said. "We try to cover everything (but) our main focus is to show God cares about them."