Although donations are currently down from this time last year, St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteer Bernie Goold isn't concerned.
"I know God and the community will provide. There's no fear of that," said the chair of the society's board of directors.
This weekend Goold oversaw the annual breakfast sponsored by Kim Forest Management at the drop-in centre - an annual December tradition that has been ongoing for the past 15 years.
What began with a handful of the forest consulting company's employees has turned into nearly the entire staff taking shifts to serve a large meal including eggs and bacon - something Goold said the society couldn't afford on its own.
That sort of community generosity is what the St. Vincent de Paul has relied on for decades and this year is no exception as they begin putting together their Christmas hampers.
About 275 hampers consisting of a week's worth of groceries, including treats, all the fixings for a turkey supper and gifts for parents and children, will be handed out Dec. 20.
Although there is more work to be done with assembling and delivering the hampers at this time of year, Goold said the society is busy all year long.
"The increase in the working poor has been very, very evident ... in the last year," she said, adding others like seniors and anyone on a fixed income have to make what they have stretch that much farther.
"Money isn't going where it used to," she said.
In addition to donations of food or money, the society is also especially looking for gifts for teenagers, who are often more difficult to purchase for. She suggested gift cards to the mall or movie theatre.
"I thank the generosity of the community that keeps us operating 365 days per year," Goold said.
The St. Vincent de Paul society will be hosting a Christmas meal on Christmas Day at Sacred Heart auditorium between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
