Holiday Hamper Program
The Holiday Hamper Program is made possible by donations from the generous community members and local businesses of Bancroft and surrounding areas.
Each hamper consists of basic staples for our recipients to prepare and cook a Christmas meal to enjoy together. From a choice of protein right down to a pie for dessert!
Hampers are assembled by the those serving on the Board of Directors together with volunteers and handed out on December 23rd annually.
Our 2023 season saw a total of $8,057.75 donated to the cause with 48 applicants receiving assistance.
Furthermore, through the tireless work of a group of local volunteers our unhoused population was able to enjoy a homemade, hot meal with all the fixins’ during the holidays. More than 40 people came together to enjoy the meal and enjoy togetherness.
Feet on the Street Outreach Program
Weekend Meals for the Unhoused - North Hastings
Thank you for taking time to learn about our group of volunteers who meet weekly every Saturday morning, to prepare and deliver meals to people in our community who often have no choice but to live outdoors.
We came together in January 2024 upon learning that the overnight warming centre in Bancroft for those living rough would not be open until February and then only from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am. We realised that meant that some people would have no time indoors for warmth at night until February and also no time inside for 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays. We also knew that no meals would be available to them on weekends and holidays.
As volunteers, we unfortunately were not able to offer shelter but decided we could provide meals and other basic needs on weekends when no other services were available to them.
So we began our commitment to supply 50 to 60 meals for the weekend to unhoused or precariously housed people, wherever we could find them. We started with 6 dedicated volunteers and now have 10 involved on a regular basis every Saturday – giving their time and often donating needed supplies.
We are pleased to report that since last January, we have so far provided about 2,300 nutritious complete meals to our vulnerable members who have no other options.That is a happy thought for us! We are grateful for other supports from our community which help keep going us every weekend.
In April, we were beginning to run low on resources and wondered if we would be able to continue. Much to our delight, some kind area musicians learned of the need and organised a benefit concert ‘Music for Meals’ that gave us a needed financial boost and kept us going. North Hastings Holiday Hamper Program was able to receive the funds as a Registered Non-Profit.
The Feet on the Street Outreach Program will continue to operate much in the same way the volunteers who grew this initiative hoped it would. We look forward to working within our community to spread our reach as far as possible.