Salvation Army already taking Christmas hamper requests

With COVID-19 impacting so many the Salvation Army in Yorkton is already taking requests for Christmas food hampers and children’s toys.

“We decided this year being what it is we’d start early,” said Captain Sam Tim, adding “we anticipate having more numbers.”

Tim said while numbers may increase they still plan to ensure “people have food on the table come Christmas, that kids have present under the tree at Christmas. We don’t want anybody left behind.”

But, to ensure that, they want some additional lead time to prepare, so they have started taking applications.

“We’ve had quite a few fill out the form (already),” said Tim.

Forms are available at the Salvation Army office and food bank, and are quite easy to fill out, said Tim. They are designed to determine how many people a hamper will need to feed, and whether a turkey, or ham is preferred.

It also details the ages of children needing toys, and what they might like, he said.

Again, because of COVID income information isn’t being asked for, added Tim.

Tim said they will take requests through to the end of November, but early applications help with planning.

In terms of funding the hampers and toys, Tim said the fate of the Salvation Army’s Christmas kettles is unknown, especially this week as Yorkton is a current COVID hotspot.

The kettles are traditionally the Salvation Army’s biggest fundraising effort, paying for efforts such as the seasonal hampers and toys.

Tim said they are currently looking at alternatives, from having people send in funds, to offering a cashless credit card option to reduce contacts.