Too often, the spirit of Christmas is dampened by financial limitations that keep that special holiday dinner off the table.
To help those in need this year, the Flin Flon Elks Lodge is again operating its Christmas Cheer program.
Exalted Ruler Gord Evans is currently taking requests for hampers to ensure area residents have a good meal to enjoy on Christmas Day.
“It’s my pleasure watching someone get a decent meal,” said Evans, though he wishes he were able to help more than once a year. “It just makes me feel good seeing kids who can get something to eat. We can’t afford to do it every day, but it’s my pleasure to help someone.”
Evans has been with the Elks’ Christmas Cheer program for the past 15 years, 10 of which he has been the club’s exalted ruler.
The program offers food hampers made up of ham, potatoes, canned vegetables and fruit, macaroni and cheese, pudding, flour, sugar, tea, pancake mix and syrup, bread and juice.
The hampers now cost between $60 and $100 each, a big step up from the original quart of milk that was handed out in the early 1930s.
Last year, the Christmas Cheer program delivered hampers to 118 families.
Requests for hampers will be accepted for this year’s program until Dec. 12. Until then, Evans says he doesn’t have a guess as to how many families are in need.
Each year, Evans says, the Elks plan for about 130 hampers.
“I always think I might go over 130, but I tend to sit around it,” said Evans. “Mind you, I don’t know how many families have moved away from town or to town that are less fortunate and won’t have the money [to afford a meal].”
Evans always hopes there are fewer than 130 families in need, but “I’ll do my best to accommodate those in need.”
The Elks won’t refuse a family in need, but Evans says he does check with the Salvation Army to ensure there is no “double dipping” with the church’s Christmas program.
The Elks’ Christmas Cheer program also helps the Flin Flon Friendship Centre’s Christmas Gift Program through monetary and toy donations.
The Christmas Cheer program relies on donations from the area, though Evans does keep some club money on hand in case more is needed to buy groceries for the hampers.
This year’s hampers will be delivered on Dec. 20 and packaged the day prior. To request a hamper through the Christmas Cheer program, contact Gord Evans at 204-687-5276.
