The Huron County Christmas Bureau's Katrina Clark expects this to be a financially challenging season for many families.
The bureau supports local families in need to ensure they have food and gifts at Christmas.
"We know this is a really tough year for families and there will be a lot in our community who are struggling so donations to the Christmas Bureau can be made online https://www.rrhc.on.ca/ or by phone 226-699-0707 extension 102," said Clark.
Clark pointed out people can also help by bringing donations to local bureaus.
"Our local bureaus will be collecting in person donations from November 27 to December 1, and the bureaus are St. Peter's Catholic Church in Goderich, Clinton Christian Reformed Church in Clinton, Exeter Christian Reformed Church in Exeter, Bethel Bible Church in Seaforth and Wingham United Church in Wingham," added Clark. "Our volunteers at those locations will be happy to accept cash and cheque donations and cheques should be made payable to Rural Response for Healthy Children."
Bureaus will be open to receive distribution appointments December 4 to December 6, 2023.
In 2021, about 450 families, including over 1,000 children, received gift cards for local grocery stores and toy retailers to ensure every family had food on the table and gifts under the tree. Parents or caregivers must have custody and reside in Huron County. Children aged 0-18 may be eligible to participate.
Eligible parents and caregivers can register by calling 1 (888) 705-1579 from November 13 to December 1, 2023, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can only be made by calling Christmas Central. Bureaus are unable to provide support to families who are not pre-registered.