In the past weeks we’ve published editorials asking Westlock to get into the Christmas spirit.
Of course, there’s the fun stuff like the Christmas Light Up festival or skating with Santa. Even folks who prefer to stay in have planning their Christmas dinner and presents to enjoy. But the Christmas spirit also comes with a little bit of heavy lifting.
On Page 1 of this week’s edition there is a story about the jump in clients needing the help from the Westlock and District Food Bank — estimates are putting the load at about 500 clients per month.
By year’s end, the bank predicts it will have had over 7,000 people go through its doors. To put that in perspective, that’s more than the population of the Town of Westlock.
Food isn’t the only thing people are having trouble getting this year. FCSS reports the Coats 4 Kids program, which distributes used clothes for just about everyone, is experiencing high usage this year.
Now, it’s not as if people aren’t donating to the food bank. Groups like the Souls Sisters, service clubs, schools, churches, businesses and others far too numerous to list hold drives around this time of year. But while some groups may match donations, most are simply collecting food that’s already on people’s shelves.
The key factor is that people still have to donate these things and that’s where you come in.
So get into the Christmas spirit. If you can, donate some food; it’s usually an easy addition to a grocery run and you may change a family’s Christmas Day. Or if your winter budget includes a new winter coat or boats, perhaps someone could use your old ones?
But please refrain from donating expired food or damaged clothing. The food bank is required by law to only donate safe food so workers have to check the date of everything that comes in. Donating expired food and other junk wastes volunteer time and will end up going to the landfill.
And here’s another point to consider — would you want canned beans and chicken soup for your Christmas dinner?
If you can, perhaps think about donating cash so the food bank can purchase fresh food and give a proper Christmas meal to someone in need.
