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Parker Street prepares for 39th annual Christmas hamper program

A mother and her infant child standing in line for a coat drive at Parkers Street food and furniture bank.
This year's Christmas hamper program aims to provide turkey dinners to 1,000 people in need. Photo of Rona Guanzon and her daughter standing in line at the food bank during last month's coat drive. Photo by Sara Gouda.
Sara Gouda - CKDU - Halifax • NS | 30-11-2022
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Parker Street food and furniture bank is preparing for one of their biggest programs of the year: the 39th Christmas hamper program coming up in December.

The annual event aims to collect donations for a turkey dinner and Christmas gifts for children and teenagers to distribute to low-income families and individuals across the Halifax Regional Municipality.

A professional portrait photo of communications director at Parkers Street Foodbank Romaine Rhoden.

Romaine Rhoden is the director of donor relations and communications at Parker Street food and furniture bank. Photo contributed.

Parker Street's Communications Director Romaine Rhoden said their goal is to provide food to approximately 1,000 low-income families across the Halifax Regional Municipality.

"Next year will be our 40th anniversary, so we've been around quite a long time. We understand that there is a pressing issue of food shortage, and many people who used to give are not getting as much. A lot of people on a fixed income or no income have been feeling it and we have been seeing many more people showing up to our food bank for assistance," said Rhoden.

Rhoden encourages donations, no matter how small, to help make those in need have a cooked dinner this upcoming Christmas, adding that the procedure will be a little different this year.

"This year, we will do things a little differently. We'll host the Christmas hamper program from the 21st to the 23rd. Delivery will be done on the first day. Pick-ups will be done on the second day at the Halifax Forum, and the third day, will be reserved for those who missed their pickups or deliveries, can pick it up here at the Parker Street food and furniture bank," said Rhoden.

A red and white infographic wish list for food produce and other good required by the Parker Street food and furniture bank.

The bank created a wish list for donations of the following items. Photo contributed.

The bank created a wish list for donations on the following food items:
● Frozen turkeys
● Vegetarian/vegan turkey substitutes
● Bread
● Vegetables (potatoes, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes)
● Fruits (apples, bananas, oranges)

The food bank is also accepting monetary and food donations at their location at 2415 Maynard St. The organization's clients can register up until Dec.7, and the hampers will be distributed on Dec.21 and Dec.22 at the Maritime Hall entrance of the Halifax Forum.

Listen to the full interview below:

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