Now in its 45th year, the North Island Gazette Christmas Hamper Fund has just started up once again with the annual hamper pickup day scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16.
“Donations have started to come in,” said Hamper Fund President Natasha Griffiths. “The need in the North Island is high, we will be helping over 2,500 individuals in the North Island this year, which is the same as last year.”
“We’re anticipating having just as many families applying as last year,” she added, pointing out that 36 per cent of the applications that were sent in last year reported having children under the age of 12 that are in need.
The hamper form application is available online HERE.
Griffiths noted now is the perfect time for the community to donate to the hamper fund.
“We are no longer accepting food donations because we are giving out gift cards, but we still accept cash, e-transfers to hamperfund@gmail.com, cheques, and toys.”
The hamper fund’s financial goal has been increased to $47,000 because of the need in the North Island communities this season.
“Being born and raised here in the North Island, it means a lot to me to be able to give back and help those in need during Christmas time,” said Griffiths. “I’d like to thank hamper board members Nadine Gough, John Tidbury, Sally Catarata, Ben Esau, Shawn Scott, and all the many volunteers who help to make this possible each year. We also have an open volunteer position on the hamper board for a new Mrs. Claus in Port Hardy to purchase and wrap gifts.”
Email natasha.griffiths@northislandgazette.com to apply to be Port Hardy’s Mrs. Claus.
If you’d like to make a donation to the hamper fund, please contact the North Island Gazette at 250-949-6225, or stop in to the office located at #3-7053 Market Street in Port Hardy.
The Gazette’s mailing address is:
Box 458
Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada
V0N2P0
