Santa Claus is coming to Carlyle on Dec. 7 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. for a pancake breakfast at Memorial Hall.
Excited to hear from youth about what they want for Christmas, Santa will be there handing out candy canes and enjoying the Dickens Festival fun.
The free breakfast will consist of pancakes and sausage with juice, coffee, and tea. If able to all that is asked is for either a non-perishable food item or cash donation to the Food Bank that day.
Used as a fundraiser for the Food Bank, the RCMP runs the breakfast with the help of local businesses.
"It's all our local businesses that provide the food, so it's a zero cost thing which means all the donations [from the day] go to the Food Bank," Christina Birch explained.
"Last year we collected two shopping carts full of food and $322 in financial donations; but, last year was really bad roads so we're hoping for more people to come out this year."
The Food Bank is in need all year, but a bigger demand surrounds Christmas, a special time of year which comes with a want to provide a memorable holiday.
"I hope we get lots of people out to [the breakfast] to support the surrounding community and help others around Christmas time who don't have the resources" Cst. Tanya Gordon explained. "for me growing up Christmas was a more special time of year, so you want it to be that special for everybody and some people can't provide that on their own. So, it's nice that we can provide them with some food and some good substance at that time."
Birch went on to explain that food is a very basic need, which for many is easily accessed and is not something to necessarily worry about while others continue to struggle with where their food comes from.
"I think a lot of us are lucky enough not to have to think about where our food is going to have to come from every day or every week," Birch stated. "And unfortunately there are people in our community who do have to think about that, so I think if we can all come together as a community and try to help others fill their needs."
This year the RCMP hopes to have donations enough to fill four shopping carts full. They are hopeful of better weather this year which will encourage people to come out and enjoy the free breakfast.
If unable to attend the Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7 the RCMP ask that if interested in helping donations be made directly to the Food Bank.
