Empty Stocking Fund campaign kicks off

The Empty Stocking Fund's 2014 campaign has kicked off.

It launched with the organization's annual beef on a bun luncheon at Third Avenue United Church, where guests enjoyed beef, coleslaw, a drink and cake.

That fundraiser is only the beginning of efforts for the Empty Stocking Fund this year.

Executive Director Bill Hall said the goal this year is to raise $120,000 to go towards those less fortunate.

"We usually average between 350 to 400 families that we help each year," Hall said.

He expects the need will be great as usual, noting food bank numbers had jumped 20 per cent from last year. He expects the number of hampers should be closer to 400 this year.

The application process for Christmas hampers takes place starting Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Battlefords Food and Resource Centre.

Several groups have come forward to help with bell ringing, and the Christmas boots will be set up shortly in stores for donations.

"Our boots go out to the stores Dec. 1 and go until the 20th," said Hall. "So if anybody has any loose cash or coins they'd like to donate, that would be great."

Locations will be Sobeys, Co-op Mall, Frontier Mall near Dollarama, Walmart and the liquor store.

WPD Ambulance has again partnered up with their Cram an Ambulance campaign to fill their ambulances with toys for Christmas. They will be starting to distribute bins to various stores to collect those items beginning December 1.

As has been the case the previous four years, PotashCorp will be part of the effort to help local food banks across the province.

PotashCorp launched a $1 million matching campaign to support the province's food banks. They will match every dollar donated to food banks across Saskatchewan up to Jan. 16, 2015, up to a maximum of $1 million.