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INUVIK
Santa's Elves are struggling to collect enough food and toys for deserving Inuvik families this holiday season.

The head elf for the anonymous volunteer organization Santa's Elves wraps a present for one of 150 deserving Inuvik families. The elf said this year has been tough for donations. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

For at least the past 18 years the anonymous volunteer group has been providing presents and food hampers to families who need a bit of help at Christmas. Year after year the elves have been impressed by residents' generosity but this season has been a difficult one, according to the head elf, who requested anonymity.

"You can always tell when it's a tough year," the volunteer said. "This year is the year that we've been the slimmest. We are really trying to scrape every penny together that we can."

Normally, about 30 to 40 families get adopted, which means the sponsor goes out and purchases gifts and food appropriate to that family based on members' genders and ages. This year only about 16 families have been sponsored.

Families that don't get adopted will still receive a hamper containing items such as milk, butter, syrup, pancake mix, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread, eggs, potatoes, stuffing, fruit juice, a box of Jello and coffee or tea.

"It's very, very basic but at least there is something for the families," the elf said.

The young kids also get a toy, and if there is enough money a gift is provided for the whole family to enjoy, such as a puzzle.

The food and presents are bought using monetary donations made to the elves. However, this year the donations are also not as forthcoming as they have been in the past, according to the head elf.

"In years like this we have to pare back the list," the volunteer said. "We can't meet all the needs so we pick the families ... that show the most need."

The 150 families picked this season were chosen through an application process. The form requires participants to fill out the names, ages and genders for everyone in the family. There are also questions to determine the families' average monthly incomes and whether family members are employed. The elves then sifted through the forms and from there decided who should get a visit from Santa.

The hampers will be delivered on Dec. 20 with the help of the Inuvik firefighters, Matco and Inuvik Gas.

"Then after that we get the great job of paying off all the bills," the head elf said, adding the group pays a couple of its biggest bills in January. "So donations in January are always appreciated, or at the end of December. It just helps us cover those loose ends."

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