As Christmas approaches, the Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg has received a $150 thousand donation. The Manitoba Government contributed $100 thousand, and the Manitoba Métis Federation contributed $50 thousand.
These donations couldn’t come at a better time, says Shawna Bell, the cheer board’s Executive Director, with the cheerboard experiencing deficits over the past years.
“Those two donations were so incredibly important to our organization this year. In the last couple of years, we’ve run in deficit, and at some point in time, what little bit of money you have set aside to help you with a rainy day fund exhausts itself. So we’re closing in on that. We’re not quite there. But this money is really going to help ensure that we don’t hit that deficit this year.”
The cheer board has felt the effects of the Canada Post strike, as cheques supporting the organization have been unable to be delivered.
“What I also do find is we’re still struggling with receiving checks. I was just reviewing our financials, and we are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to receiving checks with the Canada Post strike. It has impacted us significantly in terms of the donations coming in. There are a lot of long-term donors, and that is how they donate to us.”
Funding is only the start of the chessboard’s challenges. Drivers are desperately needed to deliver the over 10,000 hampers packed and ready for families.
“We’re at the point now that we are desperate for volunteer drivers to deliver hampers,” explains Volunteer Coordinator Debra Halligan. “That’s where our greatest need is. Our warehouse is full, full, full, and our clients are becoming anxious about receiving their food hampers and toys for their kids.”
Over 18 thousand hampers have been ordered through the cheer board’s services, and Bell says the number will rise as Christmas approaches. Rough estimates see the demand rising over 10 percent compared to last year.
“We’re going to surpass the 21,000 mark,” says Bell. “It’s essential that we are able to help those folks that need us.”
The organization serves a broad demographic, from seniors to newcomers. However, as food prices continue to rise, low-income households are no longer the only ones seeking services.
“It’s really hard because people have to make some very difficult decisions about what they spend and what money they have available,” says Bell. “We’re trying to do as much as we can to help as many people as we can, and recognizing that it’s not just the working poor that are needing our resources at this time.”
The cheer board is determined to empty its warehouse by December 24th, calling on Winnipeggers to help achieve this goal.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
