CHRISTMAS HAMPER PARTY 2025

• Fri Dec 19, 7-9 p.m.  – Set up & pack non-perishables, make phone calls 
• Sat Dec 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Hamper assembly, and clean-up 
• Sat Dec 20, 11-4 p.m. – Distribution & deliveries

LOCATION: 
High Point Community Church in Esquimalt 
949 Fullerton Ave, Victoria BC V9A 3Z9 in Vic West [map] 

You Are Invited. Victoria’s most inspiring holiday event is almost here! We have continued our expanded volunteer roles this year, phoning recipients to confirm pickup, distributing hampers on site and delivering hampers for recipients who cannot get the hampers home.
 
For 25 years we’ve created decorated fresh food hampers for the Salvation Army to distribute to families in need. Last year alone we donated over 6,800 pounds of food—and we’re not talking Kraft dinner and canned tuna—but fresh fruit and vegetables, coffee, butter, eggs, with all the fixings for a festive holiday feast. We have significantly reduced the weight of the hampers by substituting gift cards for milk and frozen turkeys.
 
The ever increasing cost of groceries is an stressful for all family budgets today, and even more so for lower income families and those on fixed incomes. With your help, we are determined to provide 175 families with the fixings for a traditional Christmas Dinner.
 
We welcome newcomers. Details about what and how to contribute to this year’s party are posted on the Volunteer and Donate pages. Contact one of the Elves to get on our contact list, or add your name to the list using the Punchbowl invitation linked on the Volunteer page . 
 
— Joyce and the Elves: Lisa Paquin & James van Dam, Dan Doherty, Val Sharp, Laura & Paul MacDonald, Diane Madill and our newest Elf, Molly Harris!

Exciting summer update!

Dear Christmas Hamper Party fans,

Each year we receive last-minute donations too late for us to spend on Party Day. This is actually a good thing because it gives us a small amount to holdover for early sales of staples the next year.

Last Christmas, we were blessed with more last-minute donations than ever before! Because we do not like to hold more than a minimal amount of cash in our bank account and, since our mission is to feed those in need….

Christmas Hamper Party is donating an additional $1000 to the Salvation Army for much needed dairy and produce items to top up their ongoing pantry! These more expensive items are always in short supply and are in line with our tradition of providing those in need with wholesome fresh food.

So…It’s going to be Christmas in June for some of our neediest neighbours—and all thanks to you!

See you in December!

Joyce and Organizing Elves James, Paul, Dan, Laura, Lisa and Val

The Salvation Army has reactivated the online hamper request form so if you need a hamper or know anyone who needs a hamper, Fill one out today!

VICTORIA CHRISTMAS HAMPER PARTY 2023 Fri, Dec 15 — 7:00-9:00 p.m. — setup & bag non-perishables Sat, Dec 16 — 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. — build the hampers   Location High Point Community Church 949 Fullerton Ave V9A 3Z9, in Vic West   In This Update: 1. 250 hampers to be prepped and assembled Fri & Sat 2. Right-sizing the hampers for local families 1. We have achieved our 250-hamper goal!   The Elves have hustled for donations, comparison shopped, placed massive bulk orders, and planned to make this our best party ever (we say that every year…and it just keeps getting more awesome!). Thanks to your generous donations we have the supplies to fill 250 hampers this year. Thank you SO MUCH!   If you still want to donate:   Interac e-transfer to christmashamperparty@gmail.com. Include your name and address so we can send you a tax receipt (if $20+). Send an email to let us know if you are not able to e-transfer and want to donate in a different way. 2. Right-sizing hampers for different families   Working closely with the Salvation Army, we identified the sizes of families requesting hampers this year and are building different sized hampers accordingly. They include seniors and the disabled, single parents, and households with 3-7 members, all struggling to make ends meet. Many have never had to request a hamper before. Every beautiful hamper we fill shows someone in need that we care and that they are not alone. This year’s plan is: – 106 single person hampers – 50 2 person – 70 3-4 person – 21 5-6 person – 3    7+  If you know someone who still needs a hamper, have them register online as the link as Hampers are still available. Other places to get food:  Mustard Seed and other food banks.     Joyce Kline and the Organizing Elves: Dan, James & Lisa, Val, Di, Laura & Paul,and more!

Copyright © 2023 Christmas Hamper Party, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Christmas Hamper Party 305 – 831 Dunsmuir Rd Victoria, BC V9A 5B9 Canada Add us to your address book

Hamper Party People!
It’s almost here! There are a few exciting changes we’ve got planned

Fri, Dec 16 — 7:00-9:00 PM — set up and bag non-perishables
Sat, Dec 17 — 10:00-1:00 PM — package the perishables and build the hampers
 
Same Location as Last Year
High Point Community Church
949 Fullerton Ave V9A 3Z9, in Vic West

Over the past 20+ years, our heartwarming annual tradition has evolved and grown in response to the ever-increasing hunger in our community.  We’re repeating what’s worked in the past and making some changes to create a safe event. 
 
Here’s this year’s plan! – 2 shifts of 25 people each to:
 
SHIFT OPTION 1. Fri, Dec 16 — 7-9 PM — bag non-perishable items, OR
SHIFT OPTION 2. Sat, Dec 17 — 10 AM-1 PM — build the hampers

Plus a new shift to deliver hampers to those who are unable to pick them up.
 
On both days we will require masks, and provide a sanitation station. 

Please e-transfer donations to christmashamperparty@gmail.com
Include your name and postal address if you want ta tax receipt ($20+).
If you are not already on our contact list, then please let us know: 

Hamper Party this Weekend! Live Video Stream.

Christmas Hamper Party 2021
High Point Community Church
949 Fullerton Ave in Vic West

7-9 p.m. Fri Dec 17 and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat Dec 18, 2021
~ Live Streamed on the Web – See Link Below ~

We’re on track to fill 200 hampers!

You can always count on generous Hamper Party supporters to step up to the plate!  The Elves and I are holding our breath because it looks like this could be the year we realize our long-held dream of filling 200 hampers with everything a food insecure family needs to enjoy a fresh, wholesome, holiday feast.

There’s so much hidden hunger…

Last month the Salvation Army’s Pat Humble told CTV News that the demand for hampers is up a shocking 300% this year.  With so much hidden hunger in our city, food banks can rarely provide fresh fruit and vegetables.  We know that families are thrilled when they receive our gift of fresh coffee, oranges, fresh veggies, milk, eggs and butter.  It’s not unusual for the treats and decorations we include in our hampers to be the only gifts they will receive.  Every hamper we fill lets a needy family know that someone cares about them and that they are not alone. 

Please join us in sharing our good fortune with those who so desperately need our help. 

If you can’t be physically present at the party, join us virtually!  View the Live Stream

Facebook Live Stream

https://www.facebook.com/Christmas-Hamper-Party-Victoria-BC-1442412165982016

On our Facebook page click: More > Videos…
7-9 p.m. Fri Dec 17 and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat Dec 18, 2021

Here’s how you can donate:

Donate cash to support bulk purchasing. Interac e-transfer to christmashamperparty@gmail.com. Visit our Hamper Party website for more info.

2021 CHRISTMAS HAMPER PARTY!

Fri, Dec 17 – 7-9 p.m. — bag non-perishables
Sat, Dec 18 – 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — build the hampers

NEW LOCATION
High Point Community Church
949 Fullerton Ave V9A 3Z9, in Vic West

Over the past 20+ years, our heartwarming annual tradition has evolved and grown in response to the ever-increasing hunger in our community. This year we’re tweaking what’s worked in the past to create a COVID-19 safe event that will be impacted less by supply chain disruptions due to the recent flooding of BC farms. 

Here’s this year’s plan! – 2 shifts of 30 people:
Thank you Volunteers!
A few spaces are still available for Friday evening.
Saturday shifts are filled!!

SHIFT OPTION 1. Fri, Dec 17 — 7-9 a.m. — bag non-perishable items,
SHIFT OPTION 2. Sat, Dec 18 — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — pack the fresh produce into the hampers

On both days we will verify vaccine passports, require masks, and provide a sanitation station. 

When you receive your Punchbowl invitation email, check the Potluck page.

This is where you can sign up for ONE of the two volunteer shifts listed above, and indicate what you want to bring. To donate money go to Contribute on the list of To Do Items, or Interac e-transfer cash to christmashamperparty@gmail.com

NOTE: your tax deductible financial donations increase our bulk purchasing power.

On Saturday, we’ll have live entertainment for people picking up their hampers, courtesy of violinist Marjorie Cullerne and puppeteer Tim Gosley.

We are compensating for the sudden rise in food prices.

A hamper with a turkey, bread, butter, milk, eggs, coffee, tea, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, dessert items and treats costs about $75. For the cost of a restaurant dinner for two, you can bask in the glow of knowing that your donation feeds an entire family!

With so many in urgent need, and the uncertainty around obtaining bulk orders due to the flooding of the lower mainland turkey farms, most hampers will include a $25 gift card so that families can purchase the main course item of their choice.

We are grateful to have the Victoria Christmas Hamper Party back again, adapting as always to feed as many of our less fortunate neighbours as possible.  Your generosity warms and lights up the season, and we can’t wait to see you at the 2021 Christmas Hamper Party!

Our hampers are distributed by the Salvation Army. If you know someone who needs a hamper, have them register online or call to sign up for support: Salvation Army, Mustard Seed and other food banks.

Joyce Kline and the Organizing Elves: Dan, James & Lisa, Val, Di, Laura & Paul,

High Point Community Church in Vic West, 949 Fullerton Ave

We are super excited to announce that because the Salvation Army is expanding their hamper distribution system to include Esquimalt and Saanich locations, they are able to give us High Point Community Church as this year’s party venue.  This means that…

Families will be able to pick up their hampers directly from the party!

There will be no need for refrigeration, the Salvation Army won’t have to arrange trucks and, since we always place a massive bulk order with Wholesale Club close by, we’ll be saving backs, too.  All our hampers will go straight to the needy in Victoria and Esquimalt.

This is an opportunity for us to spread even more holiday spirit!

Along with our usual holiday music, we’re hoping to provide treats—not just for our workers, but for those picking up their hampers, as well.  Just think what fun that will be for all of us!

We’re going for 200 hampers!

In 2019 we donated 179 hampers and last year we raised an impressive $10,350 in cash for Santas Anonymous, but we couldn’t appeal to the generous in-kind business donors who normally support us.  By soliciting business donors, comparison shopping, and buying in bulk we can actually stretch donations further creating hampers than we can by raising money to buy grocery gift cards.  So…

Our goal is to raise $15,000 in cash and food donations

let us fill those clean new hampers with nutritious fresh food, lovingly decorated.  We’ve already got the first $1300—now let’s raise the rest for the most inspiring holiday party ever!

(*And don’t worry; robust COVID-19 protocols will be in place!)

See you at the party!

Joyce and Elves Laura & Paul MacDonald, Lisa Paquin & James van Dam, Dan Doherty, Val Sharp and Diane Madill