Skip to content

Volunteers ready some 800 gift bags for people in need (5 photos)

The Christmas Gift Bag campaign will distribute the bags from the Chalmers centre on Macdonell and Chalmers West on Willow Road

The downtown location of Chalmers Community Services Centre was abuzz Tuesday as dozens of volunteers made last-minute preparations to hand out about 800 gift bags to people in need.

Sarah Dermer, program and volunteer coordinator, Chalmers Community Services Centre (CCSC), said the call goes out to donors in early October for assistance in the Christmas Gift Bag campaign and the bags start coming in by December.

Gift bag distribution begins tomorrow at the downtown Macdonell Sreet. location and Thursday at Chalmers West on Willow Road.

“December is sort of crazy here, but in a delightful way,” said Dermer.

CCSC hosted an open house Tuesday to celebrate most of the work being done on the building at 41 Macdonell — which is connected to the 10C building at 42 Carden St.

The downtown location of CCSC was previously housed at 40 Baker St.

“People have started coming back and finding us. We’re getting busier and busier,” said Peter Gill, executive director of CCSC.

The centre recently began operating its cafe concept at the Macdonell location for two days a week and a new dishwasher was installed thanks to funding from the Guelph Community Foundation.

“The scaffolding came down last week, but we still have some odds and ends to sort out,” said Gill.

The centre provides various services for the vulnerable people of Guelph, including the offering of food, clothing, hygiene products or household items or the mending of clothing and other items — all free of charge.

Proof of need or income is not required, said Gill.

“We have never put barriers in the way,” said Gill.

Each gift bag consists of basic toiletry items, warm socks, winter gloves, instant coffee, chocolates and other basic needs.

Women receive feminine hygiene products and men receive shaving cream and razors. The items in each gift bag totals about $50 to $60.

For many of their guests, said Gill, one of these bags is the only gift they will receive over the holidays.

“We decided several years ago that there were several opportunities for kids to get gifts in the community and there is opportunity for food hampers through Salvation Army, Hope House and other organizations, but this is a gift for adults,” said Gill.

He estimates about 800 gift bags will be distributed this year, about the same number as last year.

There is a registration system for people requesting bags, said Gill, but he notes there is no proof of need required from those requesting one.

If any bags are left over, said Gill, the items enclosed will be distributed through CCSC after the New Year. “We keep track of who gets a bag, so people aren’t going to come in and get two,” he said.

Individual donors, corporations or other agencies may choose to donate one or more bags, said Gill. Last year, Ethan Steele donated 10 gift bags to the centre.

Steele solicited friends and family for donations to put the bags together for donation.

This year, at age 13, he donated a total of 30 bags.


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
Read more