Oyen Food Bank prepares to pack hampers

By Joan Janzen

The festive season is always made just a little bit brighter for many families in the area who are the recipients of a Christmas hamper. The hampers are made possible through the faithful efforts of volunteers at the Oyen Food Bank.

The food bank operates out of the FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) Community Centre, located on Main Street in Oyen. Regular monthly hampers are given out on the first Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and emergency hampers are also available upon request.

Sheila Davidson, coordinator and treasurer for the Oyen Food Bank, explained that their food bank covers a vast area, which includes Empress, Bindloss, Buffalo, Acadia Valley, Oyen, Sibbald, Esther, New Brigden, Sedalia, Cereal and Chinook. This year they expect to distribute between thirty to fifty hampers on December 16th. Packing of the hampers takes place the week prior to December 16th, with the hampers delivered by people from various communities. “The firemen from Acadia Valley help deliver to that area and Empress,” Sheila added.

“We give enough food for the month of January, since the food bank is closed in January.” The hamper also includes a turkey or ham, bread, eggs, potatoes, carrots and additional goodies. “We get monetary donations from oil companies and personal donations as well. We place bins in two stores where people can donate food,” Sheila explained. Additional items are bought locally.

Local Hutterite colonies contribute by supplying eggs, bread, potatoes and carrots, and younger volunteers step in to help pack the festive hampers. Each year a Christmas Tree of Angels is set up at the Oyen Home Hardware. There, customers can choose an angel from the tree and purchase a gift for a boy or girl of a particular age group. Purchased gifts can then be left with the staff at Home Hardware by December 11th.