Around Christmas time each year, the Kindersley Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides individuals and families in need all across the West Central region with food hampers. This year, approximately 516 people where impacted by the program because of the 158 hampers sent out by the CMHA. The organization sent out 48 more hampers this year than the previous year, with this year being the highest amount of hampers given out within Kindersley.

This year hampers where delivered throughout 20 different communities in West Central Saskatchewan, from Sceptre to Tramping Lake as well as Rosetown to Alsask. Christmas hampers are not only used by families but also senior citizens. More senior citizens began using the program three years ago, when certain cuts where made affecting the living cost for seniors. 19 seniors in the region utilized the program, which is down from the 26 in 2014.

Through this program, families or individuals must apply and go through the application process. All applications remained confidential, with the Christmas hamper volunteers only knowing how many people will be utilizing a single hamper.

Some of the food items found in the hampers include: canned soup, meat, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter, jam, cereal, fresh produce and either a ham or turkey among other items.

The CMHA also created 18 additional hampers for the Salvation Army, so they could provide those in need with hampers between the last day of the Christmas Hamper program to the re-opening of the Kindersley food bank.

In order to offer food security throughout the year, the Canadian Mental Health Association accepts monetary donations. The Christmas Hamper program is also the only food security provider in the Kindersley area during Christmas time. 

Donations can be made payable to the CMHA Kindersley Branch, Box 244 S0L 1S0 Kindersley Saskatchewan. Any donation over $10 will also receive a tax receipt.