Kitikmeot (Dec 20/04) - All five communities in the Kitikmeot have plans in place to ensure no one goes hungry at Christmas time.

"We know that there are many working people, but they stretch their dollars at Christmas," said Millie Kuliktana in Kugluktuk. "We help out by providing extra food."

Hampers in Kugluktuk this year contain items including rice, milk, cereal, tea, coffee and sugar.

There will also be a turkey and a ham in every hamper.

Toys have also been purchased to give to kids in town.

The giving doesn't stop there though.

On Dec. 16, a radio show running 7 p.m. to midnight was dedicated to raising money for those in need.

In that time, $4,339 was raised, much of it through callers challenging different groups, from curly-haired boys to Polaris owners to donate money.

Volunteer drivers wearing Santa hats drove around picking up those donations.

Three draws for a ham or turkey were also held for people who donated money.

They also had an open house at the radio station.

This was the second year for the radio-thon. Last year, the event raised just over $5,000.

This was followed by a fundraising carnival on Dec. 18 with all proceeds going towards the food hampers and toys.

Then, there was a community feast on Dec. 19.

"We try and create the spirit of Christmas in the best way we can," Kuliktana said.

In Kugaaruk the hamlet and co-op take care of their staff providing them with turkeys.

Anyone in Kugaaruk worried about putting food on the table at Christmas can go to the wellness centre and ask for food.

"The community is pretty good in distributing food," said hamlet spokesperson Vince Ningark.

Help available

Kugluktuk

• Has a Christmas committee
• Organizers include Millie Kuliktana and Danielle Adjun, Grade 6
• They fundraised for presents for all the children in the community who are 13 years old and under
• This year's goal is to reach 200 homes with food hampers.

Cambridge Bay

• The Wellness Centre is open to help those in need, right up until Dec. 25
• They are accepting food and toys. Every Tuesday and Thursday 1-4 p.m. the food bank at the Wellness Centre is open.

Gjoa Haven

• No Christmas hampers this year. However, the workers at income support/social services are collecting donations to buy food and gifts
• Volunteers will buy the groceries and distribute to less fortunate. Volunteers have a list of the people who are in need
• Feast for everyone on New Year's Day.

Taloyoak

• Hamlet put together Christmas hampers containing a 20lb turkey, a 10lb ham, a case of oranges, a box of chocolates, stove top dressing, cans of cranberries and mixed vegetables. One hamper for every home = 200 hampers
• Hampers distributed Dec. 21 and 22
• Pick up hampers at the Northern Store by Dec. 30. Left-over hampers go to crisis centre.

Kugaaruk

• Needy people can go to the social worker or the wellness co-ordinator if they need food at Christmas
• There will be an elders feast at the health centre before Christmas. Anyone can attend.
• The Co-op provides turkeys for all its staff and the elders in the town
• The hamlet gives turkeys to every employee.