Hello from your local Christmas Hamper committee. Planning has started for the Oak Lake, Griswold and area Christmas hampers campaign. This year brings challenges and changes to the campaign because of Covid-19 and the regulations we must follow to carry out our service. With generous donations in 2019, and help from the Virden Christmas Cheer Board, a total of 14 hampers were delivered in the Oak Lake and Griswold area. Information is currently being collected regarding hamper needs along with financial donations to meet those needs. This confidential process is managed to respect the privacy of all. We are hopeful that the generosity of our donors will continue this year. With more families having increased pressures due to Covid-19, we are asking you to consider a monetary donation to support this local need. All donations are directed totally to covering the cost of the hampers. The Christmas Hamper committee has decided to follow the Public Health recommendation of providing vouchers this year to be used to purchase the food items. The amount of each voucher will correspond to the number of family members in the household, and be used for only items identified as groceries. The families will be provided with a list of the items that have been purchased historically for the hampers and their associated cost. This will act as a guide for their purchases. Food vouchers will be redeemable at the Valleyview Co-op in Oak Lake, as shopping local is important to our community. If you, your family, business or organization are able to donate to the Oak Lake, and Griswold area Christmas Hampers, we ask that you make your cheques payable to the Oak Lake United Church, Box 130, Oak Lake MB R0M 1P0 ,or call the church office 204-855-2055. Please make note identifying Christmas Hamper donation on the cheque. We appreciate your response before December 6, 2020 to enable us to complete the Hamper planning. Each and every donation helps a family to have a Christmas Dinner to enjoy. Thank you for your consideration of this worthwhile cause.