Winnipeg charities call out for Christmas donations

There are two weeks until Christmas Eve, but some Winnipeg charities are worried they won't get enough donations to adequately help those in need this holiday season.

"We have snow on the ground, it's December, and the numbers aren't climbing the way I hoped they would," said Christine Brouzes, one of the organizers of the sixth annual Christmas Shoebox Drive, which gives gift-filled shoeboxes to inner-city families.

She said maybe a dozen boxes have been donated so far, and the goal is to hand out 400.

"When people are making their Christmas shopping list, I would really ask to please make one little shoebox, put what you can together," said Brouzes.

There is no recommended price range, but the organizer asks for people to be as generous as they can, since this might be the only present a child gets.

Brouzes said sometimes families have to make a choice between a cooking a nice meal and giving a nice gift.

"It makes a huge impact," she said of a small shoebox, which people are recommended to fill with fun things — "like little toys, treats, hygiene items, hats, mittens, gift cards … whatever you would like to put in the box."

Families who want shoeboxes for their children, from newborns to 16-year-olds, must pre-register with organizers. The boxes can be picked up at a party slated for Dec. 23 at Ka Ni Kanichihk.

Cheer Board raising money

For families looking for a turkey, the Christmas Cheer Board started deliveries on Thursday.

Executive director Kai Madsen said the phones are ringing off the hook from people registering for a hamper.

"We have two phone centres that operate full-time so people, when they are applying, just have to be patient," he said.

The charity needs to raise $900,000. So far, only a third of that total has been donated.

"We buy half the groceries and then the other half is donated. The half that we buy has been bought but not paid for yet, so it is important for us to raise some money," said Madsen.

He added that food donations would gladly be accepted and toy donations are needed, especially for older children. He said those who can't donate money can donate their time.

"There are hampers to be delivered that are already processed and sitting on the floor, so if anyone has some spare time, come on in and help us start delieveries."

Siloam Mission needs donations

Judy Richichi of Siloam Mission said this week's snowstorm is bittersweet — good for Christmas donations, but bad for patrons who live on the streets.

She said the cold is tough, but the holiday season reminds people they're not with their families.

"People are waking up in a homeless shelter, and nobody dreams of doing that on Christmas Day," she said.

To fill their holiday with cheer, Siloam Mission is cooking a Christmas Day meal for more than 400 people and handing out goodies.

"We pack socks full of hygiene items and deodorant, razors, goodies," said Richichi.

The shelter relies on the generosity of the community to keep its doors open. Richichi said the majority of its operating budget is donated around this time of the year, but right now donations are slow.

"When it is down, we get a little bit afraid," she said. "Once the giving season is over, people have pretty much expended their incomes … and it's hard to get that giving level back up."