Holiday hamper drive for Winnipeg families amid surging costs, food insecurity

Two hundred hampers went out to families in need Saturday as part of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre’s 23rd annual holiday hamper drive.

The hampers contained food and children’s toys for Winnipeg families in need.

“Everything that they need for a really beautiful Christmas dinner,” said the group’s executive director Tammy Christensen.

“I think there was 489 toys that are going out to children throughout the community, so it’s just really important for us that we’re able to bring some joy to this Christmas season for our families.”

Christensen says Ma Mawi has seen an increase in families in need over the last few years due to COVID, and food insecurity is a big issue in the community the organization serves.

“It’s one of the core reasons a lot of families will come to our community care sites for our lunch programs,” she told CityNews. “Throughout the pandemic the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre was delivering 300 hampers a day to families throughout Winnipeg.

“Now that we’re in post-pandemic, again with the increase of groceries we are seeing just a huge demand for food.”

The centre was “a little bit concerned” it would not reach its yearly hamper goal this year due to that increase in food costs. But Christensen says the generosity of community partners made it happen.

The group of volunteers that put together the hampers each year describe themselves as a close-knit family, even though many of them only see each other once a year.

“Everyone just loves coming out, and it’s great to see people show up because of an Instagram post and social media, just that connectivity is amazing,” said volunteer Katie McKenzie.

“It’s our families. This is our community,” added Katie’s mother Marion McKenzie. “These are our relatives and it’s important that we take care of each other. The Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre means we all work together to help one another.”

Volunteering is a family affair and a family tradition for the McKenzies. Both Katie and Marion began volunteering when each was just a young kid.

“I became a volunteer because of her, and just coming throughout the years – whether I knew I was volunteering or not – it’s just become a part of an annual tradition and I love it,” Katie said.

“Once you’re a part of this organization it will stay with you forever,” added Marion. “That value of taking care of your own and taking care of those in your community, that is just a value that stays with you.”

Marion, whose family has roots in Cross Lake and Duck Bay, says the act of giving back to the community is simply a part of her.

“As an Indigenous person, it’s a value that’s instilled in us from a very young age,” she said. “But then when you get to live it every day as a member of the team and as a volunteer, it doesn’t matter what your title is. You’re still treated the same.”

This year the hampers were handed out from R.B. Russell Vocational School.

Christensen says families can count on the organization to continue the drive each year.

“It’s something people look forward to, we know it has a huge impact on people just by the demand that we have people looking for hampers, so we’re really happy to do it,” she said.