Yellowknife (Dec 20/04) - The Christmas season seems to bring out the benevolence in people.

This year was no different, as two of the city's major charities hustled to keep up with all the donations

The Yellowknife food bank spends about $40,000 a year buying groceries. Half of that is usually donated in the weeks leading up to Christmas, according to president Dave Ritchie.

They also see an influx of donated non-perishable goods through drives like the recent CJCD Food-a-Thon and at various schools and businesses. Cash donations have been arriving regularly, as well.

"I've always been impressed by the generosity of the people of Yellowknife," said Ritchie.

Despite the increased aid, the food bank still has to work to make their donations last throughout the year. The food bank is open every second Saturday at its new location in the basement of Overlander Sports.

Ritchie figures they hand out enough to feed 400 people on each of those Saturdays.

"At Christmas time we try to put a few extra things in the bags," he said, referring to canned hams, chocolate and candy.

By November of each year, the food bank is usually running low again, said Ritchie.

The Salvation Army and the Yk Food Bank often share in the spoils of holiday donations.

They split the 12,301 lb of food from CJCD and each got a cheque for $5,000 from BHP Billiton.

Unlike the food bank, the Salvation Army takes on the Christmas Hamper Program and holds a kettle fundraising campaign around town to raise money.

Major Karen Hoeft, director of community development, estimates about 100 people come through the shelter's doors each day all year long. That doesn't include people who visit for two daily meals and the weekly Sunday feast.

Many low-income families struggle to fulfil their children's gift expectations during the holidays, which makes Christmas a tough time for patrons, said Hoeft.

This year's hamper program has adopted out 200 families so far, who will receive boxes of gifts, food and other items prepared especially for them by members of the community.

"Some of the groups have been doing it for years and make stockings with names on them," said Hoeft.

As of Dec. 10, 300 Yellowknife and NWT families had applied to receive the hampers, which will be delivered Dec. 20-21.

Last year, the Salvation Army gave out 451 hampers in the capital, plus 200 to outlying communities. For Hoeft, any donations are welcome, but the spirit of Christmas is key for the organization.

"It's really about sharing. The whole motivation for the Salvation Army is the spirit of Christmas. This is the season of the Creator being created," she said.