Battlefords Friendship Center put a call out to for nominations ahead of inaugural hamper program. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW).

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Xmas Hampers

Friendship Center accepting nominations for hampers

Nov 3, 2023 | 4:00 PM

‘Tis the season for giving and the Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Center is working to do just that.

The centre will give 100 hampers to community members in need and is currently accepting submissions for nominations.

“This year it’s new to us, we decided to spread a little holiday joy,” said Jackie Kennedy, executive director for the Friendship Center.

“We’re asking people to share a story with us about a senior or a family and why they are deserving of this nomination.”

Kennedy explained that the organization thought it would be fun for people to do while also giving a helping hand. She explained the current cost of food is astronomical and people are struggling more this year.

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“We wanted people to be able to relax a little bit and enjoy a gift from us.”

The hampers will include everything a family needs for a Christmas dinner including turkey, ham, all the fixin’s and trimmings, perhaps some goodies and even a gift.

The nominations are open to everyone in the Battlefords regardless of whether the recipient is Indigenous or not.

The call-out was announced on Nov. 1 and will be open until Nov. 20. So far, they have had around 30 submissions and some of the stories have already proven to be touching, including one of a business owner who has been ill this past year.

“Now she can’t do that, I mean she’s sick so…things have changed like income, everything. Life changes.”

Ultimately, the Friendship Center’s goal is to help the community and will be ordering the hampers shortly.

“I hope our community takes out of this that there is no limit to giving and to sharing,” she said.

“We should be sharing all the time. If we have more than what we need, we should definitely be sharing with people that don’t.”

To nominate someone, drop them off at the Friendship Centre (960 103 St., North Battleford) or email: nbimfc@sasktel.net.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow