Donations needed to help with Christmas hampers

Ken Johnston

Just in time for Christmas.
Twenty Salvation Army Hampers arrived in Rainy River on Monday, thanks to volunteers Joe Kaliska and Tom Irvine of Rainy River.
Each of the hampers contains a turkey donated by the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River, as well as all the fixings for a complete Christmas dinner.
Families with childrent receiving a hamper also receive at toy for each of the childrent they requested them for.
The hampers also contain canned goods donated by the local schools and other groups. However, the Salvation Army has fallen short of donations this year to pay for all the contents in the hampers.
About $20,000 was spent across the district on them, nearly $4,000 in Rainy River alone.
Donations directly to the Salvation Army can be made in Fort Frances, however this week Bonne Irvine will be bell ringing in front of the Legion and the Post Office with a Salvation Army kettle.
Each hamper is valued at $180.
They were applied for, dropped off and picked up at the local Ministry of Northern Development and Mines office, who has served as a conduit for the program for nearly three decades.