PALMERSTON – The Palmerston Community Foodbank is seeking donations for its Christmas gift card program.
Through food and financial donations the food bank annually puts together food hampers for families registered through its Christmas Hamper Program.
“The Christmas season is often a time of extreme hardship for some of our food bank clients. We have clients and families with children in Palmerston whose budget just doesn’t stretch to a traditional Christmas dinner, let alone gifts,” says a recent statement from the food bank.
“Unfortunately, our budget does not include gifts and our old method of family sponsorship is no longer practical or workable.”
Last Christmas, the food bank initiated a successful program of gift cards for clients and was able give gift cards to grocery stores, restaurants and area retail stores.
Anyone planning to donate to the Palmerston Food Bank is being asked to consider either cash donations or “reasonably-local” gift cards in $20 or $25 denominations.
“These smaller amounts make it easier to ensure that our Christmas Hampers are equal for all,” officials note.
The food bank provides charitable tax receipts for monetary donations over $20. However, officials note it is not able to issue receipts for gift cards due Canada Revenue Agency regulations.
Anyone in difficult circumstances, or who knows of someone needing assistance is urged to contact the food bank to request a Christmas Hamper.
“We don’t ask questions. We just give,” officials note.
The cutoff for requests is Dec. 1 and the hamper pickup day is Dec. 17 (by appointment only).
Call 519-417-4774 to order a hamper or for more information about donating to the food bank.
