INNISFAIL – Despite tough economic times and an uncertain economic forecast, Innisfail residents have reached deep into their pockets to help the less fortunate this Christmas.
Both the Innisfail Christmas Bureau and the Innisfail and District Food Bank have received boxes and bags full of donations in recent weeks during food drives and charity events in town.
“They’re a very generous community. We wrap up and fill a truck and so far we’re 1,600 pounds ahead of last year and we’re not finished yet,” said Carol Sim, co-coordinator of the food bank.
She noted considerable amounts of donations this year from local schools, businesses, individuals and organizations.
“The schools, Johns Manville and all the businesses in town have supported us, as well as the citizens,” she said. “We want to say, 'Thank you. You’re an awesome community.' "
Food collected over recent weeks will be used to fill regular food bank hampers, which will be distributed on Monday (Dec. 23) instead of their usual Tuesday time because of Christmas, she noted.
“It helps. They’re still giving and supporting the underprivileged in our community,” said Sim. “It gives everybody a step up that needs it.”
The Innisfail Christmas Bureau also helped a lot of families this year.
“We’re a little down from last year but not all that much,” said Jim Herman, the local bureau's data clerk. “Total registrations for this year was 130 and last year was 135.”
Registrations included individuals and families with or without children, he noted.
“We keep track of the number of children involved with these registrations and we’re slightly down again from last year with 137 this year,” said Herman. “That’s how many children were included in the 130 registrations. Last year we helped 144 children.”
The total number of people helped with the Christmas hampers, adults and children combined, was 324, the same as last year, he added.
“It is pretty heartwarming sometimes when some of the people come in. They’re so grateful,” said Herman. “People were very, very giving again this year. We always find that Innisfail is very generous.”
