The Rosetown Food Bank is preparing for an especially generous Christmas season, thanks to donations of turkeys and hams, plus a community‐led extra boost from local services.
Janine Lefebvre, a board member with the Rosetown Food Bank, said the organization recognizes December can be a difficult time for many families, so they are “giving just more food, more extras” in their Christmas hampers. Along with the usual monthly support, this year’s hampers will include both a turkey and a ham and personal care bags tailored to household members.
“We actually have our turkeys and hams donated. Each hamper is actually going to be receiving both a turkey and a ham this year,” Lefebvre said. “On top of that we have personal-care bags we try and match it as best as possible.”
She added that board members are already working hard on logistics. Because of the extra planning, hamper picking begins earlier than usual: on Dec. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m., and again on Dec. 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.
Lefebvre noted that the food bank asks families to submit their hamper applications by Nov. 27, which gives the volunteers time to prepare.
This year’s Christmas-hamper push has been bolstered by a drive led by Rosetown’s Emergency Medical Services and Fire Department.
“They wanted a way to give back to the community, so they just did a drive,” Lefebvre explained. “This time they actually just set the units up at the grocery stores, which worked well if you’re at the grocery store, then you kind of were reminded that it was happening.”
The food bank, which runs on a volunteer board and has limited staff, relies heavily on food donations and cash to purchase staples. Lefebvre said that community drives like this one are vital.
Residents wishing to donate can do so with food or money. Lefebvre said donations of food can be dropped off through the local thrift store or by contacting the board to arrange a volunteer meet-up at the food bank. There is also drop off boxes at the local grocery stores and United church.
Monetary donations can be made by check, e-transfer or in person. The food bank’s e-transfer address is roestownfoodbank@gmail.com, and its mailing address for checks is Box 2172, Rosetown, Sask. If donors include their mailing address in the memo or notes, the food bank will issue a tax receipt.
Lefebvre emphasized how important financial contributions are to their work: “We basically just buy what’s given out in the hampers every single month we use our cash donations to fill our shelves with basics and staples.”
Lefebvre said the end of November is one of their busiest times of the year. The food bank not only has to manage regular monthly hampers, but also coordinate the Christmas program, gather perishable and non-perishable goods and recruit volunteers.
Still, she expressed gratitude for the community’s efforts. “We appreciate every item that’s given to us because it just goes right back into our community,” she said.
