TERRACE'S SALVATION Army raised more than $25,000 this year to help support those in need during the Christmas season.
Efforts to raise money for the hamper program started Dec. 1.
There were 526 hampers distributed in total which went to help 1,631 people in Terrace and surrounding communities.
There were 680 children in the total number of people helped.
The number of children who benefited from the hampers is up from last year, said Major Rosa Moulton of the Salvation Army.
“We had quite a few more babies than we had last year,” she said.
Hampers distributed include gift cards for groceries with an amount dependent on people per household and also gifts for children.
“Every child gets a major toy, and then another toy,” said Moulton, adding that gifts including socks, hats, mitts, toques and scarves continue to be distributed evenly until everything is gone.
Money to pay for the hampers was collected at Canadian Tire, the provincial liquor store, BC Liquor Store, Save On Foods, Safeway, Wholesale Cub and Walmart,
The final kettles were collected Dec. 23rd and 24th.
“We’d like to thank all the volunteer groups who stepped up to man the kettles,” said Moulton, adding she is grateful for all community and volunteer involvement in the project.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” she said, adding Christmas kettles have been around since the beginning of the Salvation Army.