By Jude Goodwin

Years ago, I was a young single mother living in Rossland, BC. I had arrived unskilled and unemployed, 22 years old, with a toddler and a newborn. We lived in Rossland for 11 years and they were some of the most wonderful years of my life. I eventually apprenticed as a graphic designer, a skill that supported me and my family all my life. 

There were times, however, when I had very little. Family helped with big things like bikes and barbies, and I traded poster art for ski lessons and ballet. But Christmas was a difficult time. The girls and I relied heavily on the annual Christmas hamper which we affectionately called it the Christmas Hampster, Each year, the Rossland community put the hampers together, and the fire department volunteers delivered. We loved the hamper, it was an exciting arrival, and often had treats and holiday candy. But mostly, I appreciated the food. Cans, and bags and boxes of items that would last into February. And there was always a big turkey and a box of oranges wrapped in paper. So amazing.

One year, somehow, our family got missed. We waited and waited for the Christmas Hampster and it didn't arrive. I was very upset and a friend took it upon themselves to walk up to the Fire Hall and investigate. The next evening, the Hampster arrived, special delivery. It was a bit different than usual as the volunteers had scrambled to put it together after all the foods and donations were gone. But it was perfect. I will never forget that moment when a firefighter knocked on our door and handed over the box.

Years later, I raised a third daughter in Squamish, BC. We didn't need hampers at Christmas but I shared with her the story, and she and I volunteered with  Squamish Community Care or with other groups giving out backpacks and packages to help make Christmas just a little bit better than the rest of the year.

There will be times in everyone's life when they need their community, and if you need your community this year, here's a list of Christmas Bureaus and Christmas Hampsters, I mean Hampers. Do connect with them soon, though, as their lists fill up quickly.

HOLIDAY HELP 2024

Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau (LMCB): Serving Vancouver residents, LMCB provides toys and holiday assistance to low-income families. Registration typically begins in early November.
LMCB

Deltassist Family and Community Services Society: Assists low-income individuals and families in Delta with food hampers and a Toy Depot program. Registration usually starts in early November.
Deltassist

Burnaby Community Services – Burnaby Christmas Bureau: Offers toys and gifts to children from low-income families in Burnaby. They also have a Seniors Hamper Program.
Burnaby Community Services Christmas

Family Services of the North Shore – Christmas Bureau: Provides holiday gift baskets and grocery gift cards to low-income families, individuals, and seniors living on the North Shore.
Family Services Christmas Bureau

Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives – Richmond Christmas Fund: Distributes grocery vouchers and toys to low-income families in Richmond during the holiday season.
Richmond Christmas Fund

Surrey Christmas Bureau: Matches donors with low-income families in Surrey to provide hampers containing food and gifts.
christmasbureau.com

PLEA Community Services – Holiday Food Hampers: Distributes hampers with non-perishable food items and toys to underprivileged families across the Lower Mainland.
Plea

The Salvation Army: Offers Christmas assistance, including food hampers and toys, to families and individuals in need across various locations. Application processes usually start in October or November.
The Salvation Army Canada

Greater Vancouver Food Bank: Assists individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore. Great Vancouver Food Bank

Squamish Community Christmas Care: Organizes annual Christmas hampers filled with food, toys, and other items for Squamish residents in need. Applications are typically due by mid-November.
Community Christmas Care

Squamish Nation: Delivers Christmas hampers containing food and holiday essentials to community members in North Vancouver and Squamish.
Facebook Announcement

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you’re able to help this year, Miss 604 has an excellent article with many links and lots of information:
Holiday Hampers and Adopt-a-family Programs in Vancouver.