Christmas Cheer Board to start accepting hamper applications [Video]

The Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg is getting ready for the holiday season, as the organization will start taking phone calls on Tuesday for hampers.

Shawna Bell, the executive director of the cheer board, said demand for hampers has jumped 20 per cent over the last four years, and the organization handed out more than 20,500 hampers last year alone.

“This year, we’re expecting more than that, just due to the fact that we did have to close our doors early last year,” said Bell. “We’re very optimistic that we’re going to be able to provide hampers to every single person.”

She noted the organization ran out of food last year, and phone lines were shut down on Dec. 23.

“We want to make sure that we’re open right until the end of the 23rd and people can come and get their hampers until 2 p.m. on the 24th.”

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