Christmas is often an especially difficult time for people who are having a hard time scraping together enough money for food, much less buy presents.
During this time of year when youngsters are confident Santa will show up with gifts, parents may find themselves experiencing even higher levels of stress than usual.
This year many groups and organizations in the community stepped up to the plate to donate to the food bank so everyone in the area could enjoy a merry Christmas.
Food bank co-ordinator Katherine Winters said the shelves at Rimbey Food Bank are full and 50 Christmas hampers have been made up for families who need a little hand up this holiday season.
Winters said the people of Rimbey have been extremely generous this year with food and monetary donations.
“We’ve had wonderful donations of money, food and gift items.”
She said the number of food bank users has been “average” for this time of year. “It always goes up around Christmas.”
She is grateful to the schools, businesses, non-profit and sports groups who have helped out the food bank this year. “The fundraisers have been fabulous.”
The food bank is in the basement of the Nazarene Church and its services may be accessed by calling FCSS at 403-843-2030.