Help the Salvation Army food bank give a little Christmas joy to others this holiday season by taking part in the ninth annual Tribune Food and Toy Drive coming up on Saturday, Dec. 10.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. people are invited to drop off unwrapped toys and gifts for children and teens and non-perishable food items in exchange for a small gift of appreciation from local businesses.
Those who donate will also get a chance to enter our draw to win a grand prize, and several other smaller prizes in the draw.
“The support for this event from our advertisers and the general public has been amazing,” says Tribune publisher and advertising manager Lisa Bowering. “This will be our ninth annual food and toy drive and every year the generosity of our community is outstanding. Donations from people interested in playing the role of Secret Santa are, of course, always appreciated. All of us at the Tribune are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of food and toys that we deliver to the Salvation Army at the end of the day. It is hard to keep a dry eye.”
Stop by The Tribune office on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 188 North First Ave. and one of Santa’s helpers will take your donation and another of Santa’s helpers will help you pick an envelope from our Christmas tree with a gift certificate or prize information inside, for our helpers to select for you.
The food and toys collected will go to the Salvation Army for distribution to people in need this Christmas.
Food items needed for the Christmas hampers include canned hams, fruit, vegetables, cranberry sauce, stove-top stuffing, Christmas goodies, such as packaged cookies, cakes, chocolate, and candy canes, as well as other non-perishable food items.
The Salvation Army also needs gifts for children of all ages, including teenagers. Cash donations are also accepted to help with the Christmas cheer program.
Capt. Claudine Kadonaga reports that during the past 12 months the Williams Lake food bank has provided assistance to 1,910 individuals with food valued at $371,000.
The soup kitchen has served 26,000 meals valued at more than $406,000.