by Lyonel Doherty

The demand for food hampers in Oliver this year is higher, but the Knights of Columbus and their volunteers have boldly met the challenge.

So said Christmas hamper campaign chairman Wayne Danbrook.

“We are going to meet our commitments, but it’s more of a challenge to meet the demand,” he said prior to the hampers going out on December 17.

This year the Knights processed and packaged approximately 209 hampers, surpassing last year’s number.

Danbrook estimated this year’s demand for hampers was about 10 per cent higher this year. In fact, more money was needed this year to fulfill the need. He noted there were fewer donations this year (monetary donations were down about $3,000). On average, it costs about $8,000-$10,000 a year to carry out the Christmas hamper project.

Danbrook stated that some businesses were not able to come forward with donations this year, which may be a sign of tough economic times.

“Every charitable organization is down, and food prices are up. You just have to listen to the news.”

Danbrook said there are quite a few single parent families in Oliver, and those with five or six people per family. He said some of these people are out of work, while others are struggling to survive on $10 an hour.

“A lot of single parents are struggling to keep the household going. We’re seeing it more and more every year.”

Like a doctor, you can’t bring your emotions into this type of goodwill work, Danbrook said. Some people are so thankful they break into tears when they receive their hampers. For others, it’s a helping hand to get them back on their feet again in tough times, Danbrook said. He noted these are the stories that make the program worthwhile.

Danbrook said none of this could be possible without the support of local businesses and individual citizens in Oliver. And the volunteers are the backbone of it all, he pointed out. Their dedication is apparent at Christ the King Catholic Church, where the volunteers set up an assembly line, filling boxes of food at a steady pace.

What a great way to feel good at Christmas time.