Union Gospel Mission to provide nearly 2,000 Christmas hampers [Video]

VANCOUVER, B.C. –

For those struggling financially, it’s often what you don’t have that can come into focus during the holidays.

But thanks to the Union Gospel Mission and its donors, families in need are getting hampers ahead of Christmas.

Items available include the essentials – such as bedding and grocery gift cards to help put together a traditional meal – while kids can pick out new coats and other pieces of clothing as well.

“Without this program, Christmas for us wouldn’t be possible,” Hazel Arnold told CTV News Vancouver, as she filled a hamper along with her two grandchildren. “There’s a lot of families in this neighbourhood that depend on Union Gospel Mission for their Christmas program – a lot of low-income families – and without this program, their Christmases would look very dim as well.”

Under the program, families can pick out a certain dollar amount worth of clothes and other …