With Christmas around the corner, the Penticton Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program is back again this season with new families needing help. This year they are looking for 60 sponsors to adopt a family.
The Adopt-A-Family program is about bringing cheer to children and families who need clothing, food, toys etc. for the Christmas Holidays. Program which starts Nov. 12.
According to Rosemarie Cargill, volunteer coordinator at Penticton’s Salvation Army, the need has doubled from last year. The cost of living keeps going up with inflation and families are finding it hard to keep up, she said.
At the food bank, they are seeing new faces every day, she added.
With the Adopt-A-Family, it relieves the pressure for a family at Christmas time and allows them to enjoy the magic of the holiday without the stress of paying for gifts.
“We find out the needs of the family and the sponsor gets a list from us. From there, they can go out shopping for those gifts,” said Cargill. Once the shopping is done, they drop off the gifts at the South Main Street location and Salvation Army makes sure each family has a special holiday.
Families registered with Salvation Army have their food needs taken care of through the Salvation Army’s food programs. Cargill figures it will cost around $400 to sponsor a family of four. Single moms and dads with upwards of three kids or more have registered.
Last year, a local bike shop donated bicycles. The local organization is hoping donations like that come again this year.
“That was so wonderful, every child got a bike or tricycle,” she added.
Register to become a sponsor at pentictonsa.ca/pages/adopt-a-family—20 or call Rose Cargill at 250-492-694.
READ MORE: Kettle campaign: Need greater than ever for Salvation Army programs
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