HUMBOLDT — A local restaurant is hoping to fill a jeep full of donations that will go to those in need this holiday season.
A&W Humboldt is collecting donations of unwrapped gifts, gift cards and money until Friday, Dec. 17, when there will be a big event to fill the jeep. The donations will then be sent to the Humboldt Community Soup Kitchen.
Colleen Cornelius, the manager at the restaurant, said in her role, she sees people from all walks of life in Humboldt.
“There is a side of the community that does it without. I just thought, ‘this isn't right. I as a person have to do something about this.’”
So she decided to organize a Light Up the North campaign along with A&Ws in Melfort, Tisdale, Nipawin and Wynyard to help those in need.
Each restaurant is doing their own event. Humboldt is working with the Humboldt Community Soup Kitchen.
“Colleen approached me and said that it's time that the people in our communities from the vulnerable sectors have a really good Christmas,” Kari Cenciosi, the executive director of the soup kitchen said.
Cenciosi said that while there’s organizations in the community that do provide aid during Christmas, they have to follow strict guidelines. Many people in vulnerable sectors do not qualify within those parameters.
“So we decided, you know what? Let's do something that everybody can benefit from.”
Consulting with each other, the soup kitchen and A&W decided to host a Fill A Jeep event on Dec. 17.
“I had just bought a new Jeep and I said, ‘if I can fill this with clothes, food and toys for the community, I will have done something worthwhile,’” Cornelius said.
The event goes from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Among the special visitors coming that day are Santa and Mrs. Claus, Humboldt mayor Michael Behiel, the Humboldt Broncos and their mascot Blaze, A&W’s mascot Rooty the Great Root Bear, and directors from Canalta Food Services.
The next day, the soup kitchen will wrap the gifts for distribution to those that need them.
