Lakeside HOPE House is hoping that the holidays can be a time of gift-giving and joy even when one is hit hard financially by the pandemic.
While it's not running its annual Christmas Hamper program this year, HOPE House is a supporting partner of the Children's Foundation Adopt-A-Family program this year and is running its annual Affordable Holiday Gift Market for the fourth year.
HOPE House executive director Jaya James said from April to the end of October this year, HOPE House’s intake has been 73 per cent higher when compared to the same time last year.
“We know that a lot of this has to do with the economic disruption so we are seeing a lot more families that are looking for support that have never had to access services before,” said James.
“The Affordable Market really gives an opportunity to families that are struggling a little bit to come in and pick up gift sets basically free to pay what you can prices.”
Last year, the community donated over 1,300 gifts to the program. James said partnering with the Children’s Foundation helps reach a larger audience while also ensuring the organization meets COVID-19 protocols by hosting one large event.
James said this year the Affordable Holiday Gift Market will book time slots for people to shop to ensure there is enough room for physical distancing. She also said there will be hand sanitization stations, screening processes, mandatory facemasks, and a one-person limit per household.
James said many people who are struggling don't want to receive items for free and so the market concept allows them to come in and pick up a gift.
“I can tell you from experience that usually works out to about $1 a gift but it gives people a real sense of dignity that they were able to choose the gift themselves for their family members and that they were able to in some ways contribute towards it so they can say they bought the gift,” said James.
James said HOPE House is looking for gifts between $20 to $25 in value.
“Examples on the adult side might be some premium tins of coffee, some really nice hygiene kits, some bubble bath, some cologne or deodorant, like really basic things,” said James. “And then on the kid's side it can be books, it can be toys, it can be pretty much anything.”
Donations can be dropped off at HOPE House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.between Nov. 23 to Nov. 26 and between Nov. 30 and Dec. 3.