Did you know that approximately 20 families access the Fernie Food Bank weekly? This year to date 60 families have applied for the 2016 Christmas hampers but that number is expected to increase over the next two weeks. Of those 60 families 44 children will be receiving gifts.
The Fernie Salvation Army began its Christmas Kettle fundraising campaign on November 19 with a goal to raise $27,000 in the Christmas Cheer Kettles and 45,000 in the household mailers for a grand total of $72,000.
This is the major fundraising campaign for The Salvation Army and without these funds they are unable to meet the needs of those looking to them for assistance.
Unfortunately so far this year, with only 13 days to go before Christmas, they have only raised $20,992 of the $72,000 goal.
As of the same date in 2015 The Salvation Army had received $17,683 through the household and business mailers and $11,589 in their Christmas Cheer Kettles but so far in 2016 they have only received $11,605 from the mailers and $9,387 from the kettle campaign.
The money raised now is not only used to provide Christmas hampers but also food hampers throughout the year.
The Salvation Army Family Services provides a valuable service to the people of Fernie and the surrounding areas that include referrals, connecting with other services in the valley and the Food Bank. The people of this area appreciate the assistance The Salvation Army provides and without it, many families, including children, would struggle without the daily necessities and many would go without Christmas.