The Purpose Society is setting up a Christmas hub in the Army and Navy Store.
The New West-based society has converted part of the space at 502 Columbia St. into a hub for its annual Christmas hamper program. The society is accepting donations so it can create Christmas hampers that will be distributed to families’ in-need throughout the Lower Mainland.
“This is such an important community initiative which allows us to bring a bit of holiday magic to children and families,” Lynda Fletcher-Gordon, co-founder of the Purpose Society, said in a press release.
The society states that all COVID-19 safety directives are being followed, and there’s plenty of space to social distance on the 20,000-square-foot main floor that fronts onto Columbia Street.
The Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families is accepting donations from Dec. 9 to 18 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. Donations of non-perishable food items, toques, scarves, warm outerwear and personal hygiene products are welcomed.
Fletcher-Gordon said the space will be like “Santa’s workshop.”
During the year, Purpose Society staff, in conjunction with community partners, identify families who would benefit from hampers. Donors are offered the opportunity to participate in an anonymous act of kindness, choosing items for a small or larger family, after being given generic family information that includes ages, sizes and a wish list.
“What began as a simple act of kindness when one hamper was left quietly on the porch of a single mother with four children over 20 years ago has grown into an annual tradition that now provides hampers filled with food, clothing and presents for disadvantaged families,” said a press release from the society.
According to the Purpose Society, the Christmas Hamper Program is in addition to the regular food distribution, which has grown to serve 800 people per week during COVID. The society also operates a health and harm-reduction van, which appreciates donations of cash, mitts, toques, scarves and other items for people who may be homeless or marginally housed and in need of support.
The Lower Mainland Purpose provides a wide variety of programs to children, youth and families. For more information, call 604-526-2522.
