Holiday food hampers, toys for Winnipeg families and Ukrainian newcomers

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has partnered with the Christmas Cheer Board this holiday season to provide hampers and toys to newcomers from Ukraine.

Students from Joseph Teres School, along with volunteers, are putting together hampers for families in need across Winnipeg.

This year the hampers will not be just limited to Winnipeg families, but Ukrainian newcomers who have fled their war-torn country in recent months.

“We want to make sure folks are going to be able to enjoy and feel a little bit of comfort during the holiday season,” said Shawna Bell, the executive director of the Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg. “There is an estimated 2,600 families that have arrived in Winnipeg and need some supports.”

“We really understood that there was a need out there and we wanted to help.”

Bell says the Cheer Board opted away from the traditional turkey dinner this year and are going with a hamper that extends the food supply beyond one meal.

“Flower, sugar, rice, pasta, the things that are really going to help families just beyond one meal,” she said. “We are really hoping to provide some additional things like candy and cake whenever possible. It’s a little bit of a (different) season this year, but we want to make sure we give these folks some joy.”

Bell says anyone can sign up to sponsor a hamper through the Cheer Board’s “Feed-A-Family” program, where they can specifically request to be matched with a Ukrainian newcomer family. Donations are accepted and any money donated will be used to purchase items for hampers.

“We are really grateful for the partnership that we are able to develop and the Christmas Cheer Board’s willingness to work with us and develop, be flexible and develop new processes for us,” said Mariana Sklepowich, the UCC-Manitoba Provincial Council’s Cheer Board liaison.

Sklepowich says it’s not only the first Christmas for Ukrainian newcomers on Canadian soil, but they are experiencing their first Winnipeg winter and are in desperate need of warm clothing.

“Boots, socks, mittens, jackets, snow pants for the kids,” she said. “Those types of things are crucial, so for those who are interested in sponsoring a hamper through the Cheer Board, you have an opportunity to find out those needs and really support these families in their first winter in Manitoba.”

The Christmas Cheer Board will be giving out around 28,000 toys and 18,000 hampers to families in need throughout the holiday season.

Bell says it is important to support the Ukrainian families who were forced to leave everything they had behind.

“We want people to know that they have a place here, and while it may not be home, it’s someplace that they can feel comfortable and safe,” she said.

Deliveries and pickups for the hampers and gifts will begin on Dec. 7 and will run until Dec. 24.