In the mid-1960s, service clubs and local churches in Carleton Place began supporting families in need by providing food during the Christmas season.
However, it soon became clear that not all families who needed aid were being reached. Recognizing this gap, these groups united and decided to form a dedicated organization to formally address the needs at Christmas and ensure support was available to all who needed it.
This collaborative effort led to the creation of the Carleton Place Christmas Basket program. Volunteer Wayne Drummond tells us its focus.
Its first purpose was to supply families with a complete, cook-at-home Christmas supper. A few years later, the organization expanded its support by introducing the Angel Tree Program, aiming to provide Christmas gifts to children from assisted families. Wayne says getting things rolling in the fall is a pretty straightforward process.
The current system involves distributing notices through Social Services Lanark County, local newspapers, Facebook, and posters, which inform families of key dates and a phone number to register for the Christmas Basket.
Families register by calling in and providing their name, the number of adults and children (aged 16 and under), and suggestions for gifts for their children. Each registered family is assigned a date and time to visit the Anglican church, where their Christmas box and gifts are brought out and placed in their vehicle.
A team of dedicated volunteers assembles the baskets and aids with delivering them to the families’ vehicles. Individuals wishing to volunteer may contact the program’s number, after which a representative will follow up with them.
The program’s primary goal is to ensure that children in need experience a Christmas like that enjoyed by other children in the community. Food and gifts are sourced through generous donations from town residents, with gifts for children provided via the Angel Tree Program. Wayne says his group is very grateful for the continued support of the the community and let’s everyone know how they can help.
Over the years, the needs have grown and now 300-325 baskets are distributed annually to families in need. Each basket includes items for a special Christmas breakfast: pancake mix, syrup, milk, bread, butter or margarine, peanut butter, jam, and apple juice. For the Christmas meal, baskets have turkey, or chicken, or ham, potatoes, carrots, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, dessert, as well as spaghetti and spaghetti sauce. The quantity provided is adjusted according to family size. Any leftover food is sent to the Lanark County Foodbank, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
To learn more and donate, please check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/cpchristmasbasketprogram
