Organizers of this year's Christmas Hamper program are shaking things up a bit.
The holiday boxes, run through the Smithers Community Services Association, have been given out to hundreds of people over the past 30 years. They typically are filled with toys, food vouchers and canned goods.
However, this year, after surveying recipients of last year's boxes, a few changes will happen.
According to SCSA Food Security Coordinator Christine Bruce, instead of specific vouchers for certain items at the grocery store, people will be given a gift card.
"The first problem is that you're stigmatized because everybody knows you're on the hamper program and you had this voucher," she explained. "And if they don't have any 2% milk on the shelf, you're out of luck. And what if you don't drink 2% milk, that's a waste."
The other big change is the quality of the food going into each hamper. SCSA has partnered with local producers to add more produce and fresh ingredients instead of shelf stable processed food.
While this presents a few challenges, Bruce said it is worth it.
"I want to make you healthier because we're building community this way. There's equity in these hampers because the donor is giving to the recipient and they are both going to be healthy and happy at the end of this."
Bruce said the hampers will also be customized and there will be recipes and food storage tips included.
The biggest need currently is for cash donations. Money can be brought to the depot on Fourth Avenue or the SCSA office on Railway Avenue.
Donations of toys and canned food can be brought to the depot from Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. until Dec. 13.
However, they will gratefully accept monetary donations past this date.
