Santa's Anonymous seeking Christmas help

Santa’s Anonymous is asking Banff and Lake Louise residents to dig deep this Christmas to help people who may need a bit of a boost.

Program co-ordinator Alison Milroy said Tuesday (Dec. 6) they’re hoping to raise at least $50,000 and the program is on its way, following the Toonie Toss and the Banff Royal Canadian Legion auction. The auction raised $13,500.

“The Banff and Lake Louise communities have always been really, really great. This year our Toonie Toss is back to where we were two years ago, so that is a hopeful sign. Last year everything was so doom and gloom. I just think this year hopefully people are either used to it or are feeling they can give a little bit. And typically, they are fantastic,” Milroy said.

In 2010, Santa’s Anonymous raised $38,000, far below its $50,000 goal.

“I know the food bank demand has been up a bit. It seems to be pretty consistent about how many people need help at this time, and we’re still experiencing a recession.”

Milroy said Santa’s Anonymous is planning to deliver about 180 hampers this Christmas, which is about the same number as last year.

The program needs staples like peanut butter, cereal, rice, pasta, beans, and personal hygiene products.

Non-perishable food donations can be made at Safeway and Nesters, while donations of toys and money can be taken to the Town of Banff.

Donations of food, toys and money can also be made at the following locations:

Brewster Travel Canada Stuff-a-Bus will be parked on Bear Street across from the parkade next to Nesters, Saturday (Dec. 10) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A bus will be parked in Lake Louise that day as well. The bus will be at the Canmore Sobeys on Sunday (Dec. 11).

Banff Community Christmas Concert at the Eric Harvie Theatre at The Banff Centre, Wednesday (Dec. 14) at 6 p.m. and Thursday (Dec. 15) at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and must be reserved in advance through The Banff Centre Box Office. Santa’s Anonymous is selling chocolates at the concert and will have a wellness basket raffle.

From Dec. 12-16, drop-in classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre are free with a food or cash donation.

Re Max/Fairmont Banff Springs Skate with Santa Food Raiser at the Waldhus Rink, Dec. 19 from 5-8 p.m.

The deadline for food donations is Dec. 19. Cash donations can be made past that deadline.

Any food that Santa’s Anonymous does not use will go to the Banff Food Bank.

For more information, call Milroy at 403-762-5323.

Applications are available at Banff Town Hall and online, as well through the Town of Banff website at banff.ca. As part of the application, Santa’s Anonymous used the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) to establish who qualifies for the program.

“The people that receive the hampers, they really need it and I know that sometimes that people living in our community don’t really see that, but they have to be below a certain level of income, so these people really need it,” Milroy said. “And one in eight kids in our high school are in our hamper program.”