With the arrival of December comes ramped-up activity for the Empty Stocking Fund and their efforts to provide for those in need this season.
A number of efforts got under way Monday with the launch of their Christmas Boot campaign in the stores, as well as the start of the collection of new, unwrapped toys for the Christmas hampers going out this year.
Donations go a long way this year, as Potash Corp has pledged to match all cash donations the Empty Stocking Fund and other Saskatchewan Food Banks raise to a total of $1 million.
The Empty Stocking Fund donation boots went out into the community Monday to locations including Sobeys, Territorial Mall by the Yellow Submarine, Frontier Mall in front of Dollerama, Walmart, and the North Battleford Liquor Store. That campaign runs Dec. 3 to 22.
Also beginning Monday is the Stuff a Bus campaign put on by Santa's EMS Elves. They will once again collect new unwrapped toys for the Empty Stocking Fund's Christmas hampers and collection bins are being placed at locations throughout the city.
That campaign runs until Wednesday, Dec. 19 when the EMS Elves hope to stuff a lot of buses for needy children in the Battlefords.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 is the annual Christmas Carol Concert at Third Avenue United Church, hosted by the Battlefords Ministerial Association. The community carol singing begins at 7 p.m. and the program starts at 7:30 p.m. A free-will offering will be collected for the Empty Stocking Fund.
Those applying for Christmas hampers can do so this week, until Friday at the Food Bank location at 1171-101st St.. Applications are being taken from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, with Christmas hampers to be distributed Sunday, Dec. 23.
