With COVID-19 impacting so many the Salvation Army in Yorkton is already taking requests for Christmas food hampers and children鈥檚 toys.
鈥淲e decided this year being what it is we鈥檇 start early,鈥� said Captain Sam Tim, adding 鈥渨e anticipate having more numbers.鈥�
Tim said while numbers may increase they still plan to ensure 鈥減eople have food on the table come Christmas, that kids have present under the tree at Christmas. We don鈥檛 want anybody left behind.鈥�
But, to ensure that, they want some additional lead time to prepare, so they have started taking applications.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had quite a few fill out the form (already),鈥� said Tim.
Forms are available at the Salvation Army office and food bank, and are quite easy to fill out, said Tim. They are designed to determine how many people a hamper will need to feed, and whether a turkey, or ham is preferred.
It also details the ages of children needing toys, and what they might like, he said.
Again, because of COVID income information isn鈥檛 being asked for, added Tim.
Tim said they will take requests through to the end of November, but early applications help with planning.
In terms of funding the hampers and toys, Tim said the fate of the Salvation Army鈥檚 Christmas kettles is unknown, especially this week as Yorkton is a current COVID hotspot.
The kettles are traditionally the Salvation Army鈥檚 biggest fundraising effort, paying for efforts such as the seasonal hampers and toys.
Tim said they are currently looking at alternatives, from having people send in funds, to offering a cashless credit card option to reduce contacts.
