Organizers of the annual hamper program in Quinte West expect the need will be even bigger this year. Catherine’s Kitchen took over the hamper program from the Salvation Army in 2020. Each hamper contains everything needed for a full Christmas dinner including a turkey, potatoes, carrots, bread and pie. Catherine’s Kitchen representative Carla Sowden says everyone from young families to seniors are struggling. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1977/files/2025/11/carla-2.wav

“Last year we did 493 hampers. So far this year, with us only opening for three weeks, I’m already at 426 hampers. And I still have three more weeks to go. So I’m thinking our numbers are going to be closer to 600 families this year.”

They are accepting monetary donations for the p

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