When Winnipeggers think of ways to give back over the holiday season, the Christmas Cheer Board is one of the first organizations that come to mind! Many of us remember packing hampers with our classmates in elementary school, picking out gifts for family members and even dropping off hampers to individuals and families throughout the holiday season.

For November, our Community Initiative of the Month is the Christmas Cheer Board.

The Christmas Cheer Board provides over 17,000 Christmas hampers to individuals and families annually. Families assisted include those receiving Employment Income Assistance (EIA) as well many low-income families and pensioners. Others served may include unemployed persons, and recent immigrants.

The Christmas Cheer Board is providing food vouchers and gifts for children 14 and under this year in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Food Vouchers are redeemable at any Sobeys, Safeway, IGA or Freshco. With so many people impacted by business disruptions throughout the pandemic, including job loss, loss of working hours and more, the Christmas Cheer Board is expecting the need for help to increase.

Recipients of donations from the Christmas Cheer Board come from all areas of Winnipeg and reflect diverse social and economic backgrounds as do the thousands of volunteers that donate invaluable resources and time to help support the Cheer Board. Community-minded families, individuals, community groups, and businesses raise funds, donate food, toys, money, and time. Without the gracious support from Winnipeggers, the Cheer Board could not meet the needs of Winnipeg families over the holiday season.

Throughout the month of November, a portion of cupcake sales will be donated to the Christmas Cheer Board. Purchase your cupcakes at our shops at Academy, Island Lakes or The Forks or through SkipTheDishes and know you're helping those in need this winter and holiday season.

We are so looking forward to supporting this incredible organization for the third year in a row this holiday season. To learn more about the Christmas Cheer Board visit their website here.