"The Holiday Hamper program provides clients with a grocery card and a gift. The gift card allows clients to choose grocery items that fit their cultural, religious, and dietary needs. Around the holidays, there are often extra expenses such as gifts, insulated winter items, higher utility bills, transportation costs, etc," explains Catharine van der Linden, Team Lead of Support Services at AIDS Calgary Awareness Association (ACAA). "The Holiday Hamper program provides additional support to many of the individuals and families we serve who are living on low incomes."

"Food is so central to our culture, especially during the festive season. For many, it is a time to bring people together for conversation, love, and support," says Susan Cress, Executive Director of ACAA, "and for our clients, a lot of them would just like to be noticed and have a nutritious meal. So you can imagine how dispirited one may feel if they have nothing to eat over the holiday season, much less someone to spend the holidays with."

The program is aimed at supporting clients of ACAA by providing them with a grocery gift card and a small gift over the holiday season, as well as providing toys for clients who have children.

On December 14th the Hampers will be distributed to ACAA clients in Calgary and Medicine Hat. According to van der Linden, about 140 Hampers are expected to be given out this year.

One ACAA client remarked, "Holiday Hampers help me tremendously! What I get, I use to a great extent and [it] lasts me a long time! Keep up the great work [in] helping a lot of others during the joyous Christmas Season."

Those who are interested in donating or volunteering can visit the ACAA website, or contact the E-mail listed at the end of this article.