91原创 Christmas Bureau has made a public appeal for sponsors to help families in need.

So far, numbers are down, with just over 150 sponsors so far, said Dianne McCafferty, , sponsorship coordinator.

鈥淲e need many more,鈥� McCafferty told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淭here鈥檚 well over 900 clients, or families,鈥� registered with the bureau, she estimated.

鈥淭he last two years, because of COVID, we were not sponsoring families and this year, we are again,鈥� McCafferty explained.

The main focus for sponsors is to provide a food hamper (see the Bureau ) and, if they wish, additional small gifts for the children.

鈥淲e ask that they [gifts] be reasonably priced and age appropriate,鈥� McCafferty said.

Hampers include gift certificates for perishable food items, along with a list of other food items, such as potatoes, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, 鈥渞eal鈥� fruit juice, tea, coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, and Christmas treats like candy canes and cookies.

鈥淎nything you would enjoy or need through the Christmas period,鈥� the guide states, but no home baking or canning, and no alcohol.

Estimated costs range from $200 to $250 for a family of two, up to $500 to $700 for a family of five to seven.

Those interested are invited to apply online at to .

McCafferty added families without individual sponsors won鈥檛 be left out.

鈥淭he Christmas bureau sponsors all the children, and all the families, with gift cards, toys and a book for each child.鈥�

Sponsors will be responsible for delivering hampers and presents to their adopted family.

People can also drop by the Bureau鈥檚 temporary offices at 91原创 City hall to register as sponsors, or phone the Bureau at 604-530-3001.

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