Who can get a Christmas Hamper?

The Hamper Program is available to anyone who requires help over the Holiday season. Whether you are a regular client of the food bank or are having a difficult time due to a change in your family situation, illness, or job loss we are here to help you through.

Why do I need to register and provide identification to get a Hamper?

To make sure that we help as many families as possible a basic needs assessment form, which includes your income and major expenses, must be completed. Identification for all family members confirms the number of people living in your household and their ages. This assessment will determine qualification, the size of the hamper required, and if gift cards or toys are required for children under 18 years of age.

If I am a Shepherd’s Cupboard Food Bank user do I still need to register for a Hamper?

Yes, you still need to register even if you use the food bank. Although we work closely with the food bank we are a separate organization and are required to do our own screening and registration. You do not have to be a food bank user to register and receive a hamper.

What can I do to support the Hamper Program?

Our goal is to make sure that hampers include non-perishable food items and special Holiday treats. Donations of these items can be dropped off at the Town Hall, Shelburne RBC and Pace Credit Union starting in late November. We also accept items at the collection site in the Mel Lloyd Centre during the week leading up to pick up day.

Because we provide each family a grocery gift card to buy a turkey, ham or special item of choice and gift cards for children from 12 to 18 years we require monetary donations to purchase these cards.

Donations of toys, books and games are also needed for children from newborn to 11 years of age.

Monetary donations can be made throughout the year. Please contact Bobbi Ferguson at shelburnechristmashampers@gmail.com

How can I get a backpack for my children?

The back packs will be available in August at the food bank in Shelburne for students from kindergarten to grade 12. Any remaining packs will be distributed to the five Shelburne area schools to be used throughout the year for students in need.

What is in the backpack?

Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a backpack, soft shelled lunch kit and a reusable water bottle. If we surpass our goal and have extra funds, we will add grade level appropriate school supplies to the packs. Lists of supplies have been supplied by local schools.

How much of the money donated goes to the families in need?

Almost 100% of the money collected goes directly to the hampers. In 2019 $50 was spent on postage to send thank you cards to our generous sponsors. Making sure donors are thanked personally is very important to the success of this program.

Does the money and goods collected stay in Shelburne?

Yes! All items and money collected by the Hamper and Backpack programs stay in Shelburne for Shelburne families.

Can I apply for a Hamper in more than one town?

No. At the time of registration we will confirm your address to make sure you are from Shelburne or surrounding area. If you are from another town we will provide you with contact information for that town.

Once registration in Shelburne, Orangeville, Grand Valley and Dundalk is complete we confirm registrants to make sure there are no duplicates. If you are registered in more than one location you will be contacted and asked to receive a hamper from the town where you reside.

How can I volunteer my time?

The best way to volunteer is to spread the word that there are at least 100 families in your town that need a bit of help to get them through a stressful time of year. Encouraging your business, school, organization, church, family or friends to consider planning an event such as a charity BBQ, a ball toss at a golf tournament, a food and toy drive or maybe donating as a family in support of the hamper and backpack programs might give a child a gift under the tree or to be able to go off to the first day of school with a bright new backpack.

We also can use help to transport goods from collection sites to our sorting site two days prior to our hamper pick up day.

Because asking for and receiving help is very difficult for most families, is it very important that, for privacy reasons, we keep volunteers to a minimum on Hamper pick up day.