My family and I received a wonderful food hamper from the Caring & Sharing Exchange. We moved to Ottawa in September and could never have predicted that our first Christmas in Ottawa would be burdened due to Covid-19. Only my wife works, and when she was put out of work, we lost that income. We were preparing to try and shop for a few Christmas items with the little money we have saved, but thanks to your generosity, we were able to have a lovely feast with our family. The items in the hamper were beyond our expectations and really made a difference for my family. We now will be able to fondly look back on our first Christmas celebration in Ottawa. Thank you for all that you do!

– Christmas Hamper Recipient 2020

I am 21 years old and have recently started caring for my 14-year-old little sister, as her living situation with our parents was not safe. I am constantly worried that I cannot provide for her, and the weight of the responsibility weighs on me daily. Thanks to the food hamper provided to us, I was able to give my sister a first Christmas with me that was worthwhile. We were thankful to be able to treat ourselves to a beautiful meal, thankful that my health is improving, and we were thankful for the love and support you give to families in need. This gift may seem small to you, but it will go a long way in healing mine and my sister’s heart and our lives. Thank you for everything!

– Christmas Hamper Recipient 2020

The support of the Christmas Cheer Foundation is the connecting thread that has made it possible to support the hamper and voucher needs of individuals, families and children that we have contact with. The Foundation’s assistance has helped us meet these needs and made a difference in people’s lives and we are very grateful for the support to make all of this happen.

– Debra Dynes Family House

The Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) serves homeless and street-involved young people 365 days of the year. The holidays can be a difficult time for young people in YSB’s programs who have experienced homelessness. Youth living in our Emergency Youth Shelters and our Long-Term Housing can especially feel lonely and forgotten. That’s why the generous contribution made by Christmas Cheer is so immensely appreciated – their gift provides youth in our Community Services and Programs with warm holiday meals, along with the opportunity for youth living alone to purchase grocery items they need over the holidays. Christmas Cheer’s support makes the holidays bright for homeless youth in our care.

– Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa

The Ottawa Mission provides hope and strength by feeding men, women and children living in poverty who struggle to obtain food. Last year, we served 478,880 warm and nutritious meals to people who were homeless and in need. The Christmas Cheer Foundation’s support of The Ottawa Mission will help ensure that nobody goes hungry this Christmas season.

– The Ottawa Mission

Every year The AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) provides Holiday Hampers to individuals and families living with HIV. Hamper items include whole turkeys, fresh fruits and vegetables that can be used to make nutritious holiday meals. With the efforts we consciously made to work with CHEO, we are able to connect and provide services to some of the most marginalized families in Ottawa. This year, we are able to provide 200 Holiday Hampers to our clients, including families we connected with through CHEO. Without your generous donation, we would not be able to support and meet the needs of 200 individuals and families during the holidays. We deeply appreciate the financial support from you to better our work during the harsh wintertime. 

– The AIDS Committee of Ottawa

At Youville Centre we serve two generations of vulnerable youth; adolescent mothers and their children. The holidays can be especially challenging when our Centre closes for almost 2 weeks. Having the additional support from Christmas Cheer means that we are able to help fill the gap and provide food security during the holidays. As we all work to inspire, educate, and nurture young moms and their children to utilize their strengths to achieve their goals, we recognize that every little bit counts and for that, we are forever thankful!

– Youville Centre

 I am writing to wish you the very best this Christmas season, and to thank you for my Christmas food hamper. You do not get to see the results of your actions, but I want you to know it is a major difference in my life. The oranges bring me back to my childhood and the days of treats at Christmas. Living on 330 a month I seldom have treats. The big surprise for me was the turkey, as I can seldom afford such a luxury this really is greatly appreciated. Add to it the Milk and bread which helps us daily. In addition, you also gave me carrots, onions, stuffing, and cranberries!  Your generosity has brought tears to my eyes. I really want to thank the people who delivered it also as the was very kind of them. Each item taken from the box was accompanied by a squeak of delight. Once again I want you to know I am very thankful and grateful for the food you have shared with me. 

– Hamper Recipient of the Caring and Sharing Exchange

The event is held on an annual basis and provides a Christmas meal for more than 100 youth that come to Operation Come Home. The meal is very important to the youth as they have an opportunity to thank our staff and volunteers for helping them and at the same time receive a healthy nutritious meal. In addition, the children of many of the youth attend and are provided with good and the opportunity to socialize with one another. This event is the best event of the year at Operation Come Home other than our school graduation ceremony and we are very grateful to receive support for the party on an annual basis.

– Operation Come Home

For years, the Christmas Cheer Breakfast and its supporters have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide joyful Christmas memories to the most vulnerable in our community. With the help of the Christmas Cheer Breakfast, the Ottawa Food Bank has provided over 10,000 Christmas meals every year. A child will never forget what it feels like to be hungry over Christmas. But with your help they won’t be.   One young mom shared: “I’m so grateful for the Ottawa Food Bank giving me the opportunity to create my own little Christmas dinner at home with my boy. Without this special program, I would not be able to afford anything special or different for the holidays.”

– Ottawa Food Bank

Thank you so much for your generous donation the St. Joe’s Supper Table. Your thoughtful gift helped ensure that we had the much needed ingredients to feed a homecooked meal to the over 100 men and women who came to our doors every weekday evening last year. For your contribution we are incredibly grateful. From all the volunteers and guests of the Supper Table we want to wish all of you a happy holidays and a great start to the New Year.

– St. Joseph’s Parish Supper Table