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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Despite gloomy economic times, Northerners still have a giving spirit at Christmas.

Several collections of food and gifts for needy families in the NWT have not indicated a decrease in donations this year - at least so far.

Edna Dow is co-ordinator of Secret Santa, a Christmas collection of food and gifts for needy families in the Hay River area. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"I don't think the economy will affect people being generous," said pastor Harold Gambler of the Fort Smith Pentecostal Church, which operates The Extended Hand food bank and secondhand clothing store.

The Extended Hand collects and distributes food and gifts for Christmas. Last year the organization distributed about 115 hampers.

"There's very good community support here," Gambler said of Fort Smith.

The pastor said nobody will really know if the economic downturn has affected the collection until all is said and done, but he is optimistic it won't.

"I feel very good about it," he said.

In Yellowknife, the Salvation Army has a couple of initiatives to help people at Christmas.

Residents can anonymously 'adopt' needy families and give them food and gifts.

In addition, food hampers are distributed to needy families in other communities - including Behchoko, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Lutsel K'e, Rae Lakes, Wha Ti and Fort Resolution.

Last year, 240 families were adopted in the Yellowknife area and 200 hampers were sent to other communities.

Julie Gould-Benreddad, the director of community services and the homeless shelter with the Yellowknife Salvation Army, said the collection is on pace with previous years.

"It's going along," she said. "We don't have any fears at this moment."

For the adopt-a-family program, the Salvation Army will make up the difference if there happens to be more needy families than sponsors.

"We won't leave anybody out," Gould-Benreddad said.

Collections in the iconic Salvation Army kettles, set up at three locations around the city, have also been steady.

"All my reports are they are on track the same as last year," said Gould-Benreddad.

The fundraising target this year is $25,000.

Gould-Benreddad said the poor economy doesn't seem to be making a difference, although she won't know for sure until afterwards.

"Right now, there's not a big difference in the community approach," she said.

Yellowknife's commitment to helping the needy is amazing, she added: "I hope they keep it up."

In Hay River, Secret Santa is again collecting food and toys for needy families.

Edna Dow, the co-ordinator of Secret Santa, said the economic downturn doesn't seem to have affected the collection.

She had thought there might have been some impact, but added the collection is on the same pace as previous years.

"It's going about the same actually as last year," she said, adding that Secret Santa is still a big community effort in Hay River. It contributed more than 130 hampers were distributed last year.

"This town is amazing," she said. "There are even people who have left Hay River who are still sending stuff up."

While Dow was interviewed at Secret Santa headquarters in the basement of the Hay River Pentecostal Church, a donor walked in with bagfuls of food and gifts.

Marilyn Carroll said she has helped Secret Santa ever since it began.

"Basically, it's to bring some cheer into families' lives, especially children," Carroll said.

Christmas collections like Secret Santa are very important for needy families, she said. "It's good to give them food whatever their ages and whatever their dilemma."

Carroll thinks the economic downturn could have some effect on the amount that people give, but she doesn't know for sure and hopes it won't.

Regardless of economic conditions, she said she believes people will still find it in their hearts to help others at Christmas.