Now I am putting it out here! I called the Goldstream food bank about sponsering a family. It looks like a lot to take on, so its understandable if we don't want to take on a family. Rather we could bring it food and non food items, and I could take them down to either the Mustard Seed or the Goldstream Food bank.
Here are the guidelines for a family hamper....let me know what you think???
THE CHRISTMAS BUREAU OF GREATER
DONOR GUIDELINES 2009
Thank you for offering to provide a Christmas hamper this holiday season. The mission of the Christmas Bureau is to help as many families and singles as possible have a merry Christmas. We also endeavour to make sure that the help provided is equitable. We hope that no family will be short changed while another family is overwhelmed by generosity. Attached are some guidelines for the hamper that you assemble.
1. You must phone the family 2-3 days after receiving their contact information - let them know that you will be helping them this Christmas and that you received their name from the Christmas Bureau. Remember to talk to adults only, not children.
2. When you contact the family, confirm their address and all members of the household.
3. If there are children in the family, check the spelling of their names, their gender and their ages.
4. Ask for gift suggestions for children and their sizes if clothes are requested. (If clothes are purchased, enclose a gift receipt.) The Christmas Bureau policy is for all children 17 and under to receive 2 new main gifts, an approximate total value of $50.00 per child. Small stocking stuffers can be added. The main thing is to make sure all children are treated equally within a family.
5. Ask if the family has any special dietary needs such as allergies, health conditions etc.
6. Arrange a date and time to drop off the hamper (3-7 days before Dec. 25 if possible).
7. Please keep the family's information confidential. If members of an office or group are assembling the hamper, provide them with a profile of the family but not their names (ie child #1, male, 14 years old). Shred the information after Christmas.
HAMPER CONTENTS
1. Christmas dinner basics - turkey, potatoes, vegetables, dessert
2. Treats - any or all of: candy, nuts, chips, oranges
3. Staples - flour, sugar, rice, noodles, soups, juices, tea coffee, crackers, cookies, pancake mix & syrup, canned fish, stew, chili
4. Options - hot chocolate, cereal, popcorn, baking mixes
what if we each brought something for this to kim's party instead of a 10$ gift??
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea Justine. If we did a hamper, then maybe we could get groups of people to do some of the more expensive items (such as a new gift for the children in the family) together. I think Lindsey is calling today to find out some more info on available families and maybe we can discuss it quickly in one of our classes tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI sent out an email of the items most needed by the Mustard Seed..either bring them to our holiday party or to class!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the positive feedback!