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Gifts galore for Christmas hampers

Loaves & Fishes supplies multiply like namesake biblical story
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Carol Bentley has been working hard all year to crochet more than six dozen toques that she donated to the local Christmas Shoebox program. They were among about 300 donations dropped off at Loaves & Fishes Outreach on Dec. 6.

Just like its namesake biblical story about supplies expanding to feed the masses, the Loaves & Fishes Outreach Society (LFOS) office was almost buried under a pile of gift-wrapped boxes on Dec. 6.

Some 300 donations, which Lori Fleming, and her mother, Ev, collected in their Third Annual Christmas Shoebox Program, were dropped off.

They include toys, personal gifts and household supplies for community members who may be less fortunate at Christmastime.

LFOS president Trudy Endacott says they are very grateful for this "awesome and huge" boost for the 150-160 hampers they distribute each Christmas.

"There are boxes for babies and there are children's – little girls, little boys, and teens – all kinds of stuff that will be very much appreciated."

Endacott adds the family shoeboxes are actually big apple box-sized cartons stuffed with a lot of great gifts, including games.

With all the other donations it receives, the LFOS has "tons" of supplies this season that go well beyond the basic needs, she explains.

"People will be very blessed ... it will be good."

This year, the boxes included about 75 children's toques crocheted by Carol Bentley during her coffee and lunch breaks working at 108 Mile Supermarket.

Bentley says she loves to make them and was delighted to find a worthy way to put them to use locally.

"I'm not really a salesperson, so I get to own them for a little while and then they will keep little ears warm."

Already working on next year's toques, Bentley says she has a goal to make another 75 for the local shoebox program.

Fleming says she and Ev appreciate the dozen volunteers who turned up to help them fill and wrap the boxes and Horton Ventures for providing storage and the working space.