2017 Hamper Report

A smashing Success!

We filled a whopping 148 hampers last year, but this year–in a new venue and in record time–we filled 155!  In addition to our beautifully decorated hampers brimming with wholesome goodies, we were able to give the Salvation Army 11 bulging extra hampers of fresh fruit, veggies, stuffing mix and bread they can use in the hampers they make up.

2017 hamper party

Thanks to Our Venue Hosts

What would we have done if St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church hadn’t taken us under their wing and hosted us? Their beautiful chapel was the perfect venue: lots of room, lovely high ceilings, stained glass windows–and pews to hold those big cases of food so we didn’t have to stoop to the floor!

Thanks for the music of the season

Thank you, too, to Canadian College of Performing Arts’ Alumni Carollers for starting the party off with gorgeous carols, to Michael Heaney who played piano for us for hours, and to our bagpiper Josh MacDonald who has piped us out to load the Salvation Army’s trucks since he was a teenager.

Thanks to the Many Individual Contributors

It is the collective generosity of our stalwart individual cash and food donors that keep the party going, but our tradition is to not reveal individual donor amounts since we know all our donors are giving what they can.

Thanks to Our Generous Business Donors

We really must thank our business donors, however, because without their unbelievable support we could never have accomplished what we did this year. Please support these community minded businesses:

And to the Elves…

Finally, huge thanks to amazing Organizing Elves Laura MacDonald, Dan Doherty, James VanDam, Paul MacDonald, Lisa Paquin, Val Sharp, Di Madill, and Josh MacDonald.  Laura, in particular, did weeks of behind the scenes organizing. Even in Santa’s workshop, thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food doesn’t get planned, budgeted, comparison shopped, ordered, promoted, coordinated, picked up and delivered, and properly recorded for tax purposes without a lot of Elf hours.  They are an amazing team!

Together we fed the hungry and those who otherwise may have lost hope.  Isn’t that the essence of the holiday spirit?

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah & Happy New Year!
Joyce & Elves Laura, Dan, James, Paul, Lisa, Val, Josh, and Di

Saanich Peninsula Hamper Party – 60 Hampers

Well we feel like the holiday has officially begun! Our garage is now empty (aside from a huge stack of empty produce boxes), but our heart are full, as are the Sidney Lion’s Food Bank, Salvation Army, and Tseycum First Nation’s trucks!

The Salvation Army is preparing for a record year with over 3000 families expected to request hampers! The Sidney Lion’s Food Bank has received 458 requests for hampers, in addition to the 1100-1200 people they serve each month!
Thanks to each and everyone of you, 60 families will be enjoying a hearty, healthy, and delicious meal this holiday. But almost just as important, these families will get the sense a your care and compassion through all of the special touches in this year’s hampers. From handmade cards by Lisa (and signed by all of you), to homemade cookies and beautiful swags. These thoughtful additions are what really makes the hampers more than a meal, but a special gift. And as Pat and his crew from the Salvation Army told us, these special touches really do get noticed. In fact, they hand deliver our hampers so as not to make anyone jealous 🙂
We are so thankful to be surrounded by such an incredible community. You are what makes this initiative such a success. We just love how everyone continues to come up with new ideas and opportunities. In addition to all of your personal support, we had a few businesses chip in:
– Thanks to David for approaching Save-On Esquimalt who donated five $25 gift cards
– Amber secured an amazing deal on turkeys from Save-On in Sidney
– Michell’s farm donated a huge box of cabbage and carrots, thanks to Robert and Barb
– Fickle Fig donated bread for the hampers and cookies for the helpers
– Woodwynn farms gave us a great deal on their eggs
And a HUGE thanks to Jason & Candace who not only set up the online form, but also did the HUGE shop (thanks to your donations of nearly $1800!), and repacked all of the bulk produce. Really I would love to thank you all individually, as this really doesn’t happen without you. And it was so great to see all of the kids involved this year!
Not only have you filled our hearts with gratitude, and helped us to pass on the importance of caring for our community to the next generation, but you have really reminded us of how fortunate we all are to have a happy and healthy family, a warm home to share with you all, and full bellies at the end of the day.
We truly hope that your holiday is filled with the company of loved ones and special moments together, meals shared, and peace in your hearts.
With love,
Patrica, Aaron & Emma