(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Christmas Hampers

Melfort Salvation Army to go ahead with Christmas hampers with some slight changes

Nov 2, 2020 | 1:00 PM

The Salvation Army will go ahead with Christmas hampers this year but getting registered for the program will look a little bit different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registrations for the hampers will take place each Thursday in November, according to Captain Rick Robins.

“We need people to phone ahead and get a time to come in and get registered this year,” Robins said. “We can’t have everyone all show up at the same time.”

Call the store at 752-3525 to get a registration time, there will be designated hamper pick-ups determined as well upon registration.

Donations for the hampers are being accepted over the next few weeks to make the program a success.

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“We are hoping to have boxes out for toys and we will be working on some fundraisers throughout the season as well,” Robins said.

There is typically a teddy bear toss during a Melfort Mustangs game but Robins is not sure how that would work this year and he also said the Bargain Shop’s usual toy drive has not been confirmed yet for this year either.

For the second year in a row, Cassie Davis will be the toy and hamper coordinator for the program.

The Kettle campaign begins on Nov. 23 and that also will have some changes associated with it.

“We will have a special device attached to the kettle that you can tap your card on that and it will automatically debit a certain amount of money to the kettle,” Robins said.

In Melfort, kettles will be set-up at the Co-op Grocery Store and Cindy’s Independent Grocer. In Tisdale, kettles will be set-up at the Co-op.

Typically, around 200 hampers are dispersed in the Melfort and Tisdale region and they are expecting an increase for this year’s campaign.

“We have seen an increase in our family and community services over the last month and I imagine we will have an increase in our Christmas hampers this year as well,” Robins said.

Registrations for Christmas hampers in Tisdale will take place on Wednesdays throughout November from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The last two Fridays of the month will be open for registrations in Melfort as well as every Thursday of the month.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser