The Christmas Bureau‘s 2013 campaign was successful through the efforts of many and the generosity of a whole community.
With the added support from Santa’s Anonymous, the Bureau was able to not only fill the need for extra food hampers but ensure the “cupboards” of the Sooke Food Bank are full long after the end of the Christmas campaign.
A total of $25,134.76 was collected. The value of food collected was estimated at $30,000. Added to that was the grant of $8,000 from the District of Sooke.
The Bureau was able to turn over $16,000 to the Sooke Food Bank from the campaign after expenses.
Our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Sooke Fire Rescue Services, whose presence at Western Foods and Village Food Markets with their “Help Fill a Truck” campaign and their Santa Run throughout the community each year, continues to ensure that the generous people of the area have accessible and enjoyable venues to make their donations on the spot.
The Sooke Harbourside Lions worked with the Bureau again this year to deliver toys they had collected through their campaign of Toys 4 Kids, to the families with children who were also recipients of food hampers. The Santa’s Anonymous once again stepped in to assist with those efforts by providing toys to augment what the Harbourside Lions collected.
The Lioness Lions provided support and food to the volunteers during the sorting and distribution days. The joint clubs sent volunteers out to the outlying communities to deliver hampers and toys.
Many businesses and organizations donated time, in-kind donations and monies to the Sooke Christmas Bureau. We thank you all!
Donations can continue to be made to the Sooke Food Bank, the need, unfortunately, never goes away.