Come Christmas Day, it won't just be the city's youngest residents who get an extra dose of cheer from the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.
The program, which provides toys and food for low-income families, also provides food hampers for seniors in need.
"This is for seniors who are low-income and live on their own or with a spouse - not those maybe living with their (adult) children," says bureau executive director Stephen D'Souza. "There are isolated seniors who might not have a lot of connections in the community."
The bureau matches a senior with a sponsor, who then finds out what the person would like or need for the holidays.
Typically, the sponsors then drop off the hamper.
"There's usually a visit involved - that's part of it, someone coming and saying Merry Christmas."
Last year, the bureau matched more than 160 seniors with sponsors.
D'Souza says they spread the word through various agencies and programs that help them connect with seniors.
To find out more about this program, or about other ways to help out with the bureau this year through family sponsorships, angel wall participation or through toy or financial donations, call 604-299-5778 or http: //burnabycommunitycon nections.com.
BY THE NUMBERS
The bureau is hoping to reach a financial donation goal of $190,000 this year, on top of toy donations and direct sponsorships. This will allow them to wrap up the 2011 campaign without dipping further into financial reserves, as they were forced to do last year due to an increase in clients. So far, they've reached about $80,000, with less than NABY a month to go.
HELPING OUT
When a new grocery store celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, the bureau will get an extra boost in its coffers. The new Buy-Low Foods in Parkcrest Plaza recently opened its doors for the first time, and this coming Saturday, it's hosting a grand opening celebration slated to include contests, giveaways, food samples and more.
Manager Don Symington told the NOW that they'll be collecting donations for the bureau as part of the festivities. The bureau provides toys and food for low-income families at Christmas.
"We (chose the bureau) because we wanted an organization in the community, to have a chance to give back to Burnaby - and with the time of year, it all clicked together," he said.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the store is open from 8: 30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) at 5901 East Broadway, just east of Holdom.
For more, see www.buy-lowfoods.com. [email protected]
