Winnipeg donation roundup: where to give this holiday season

A group of local charities is asking Winnipeggers to donate essential holiday items this December.

Agape Table

Martina Richter with Agape Table said the holidays are extra demanding on the charity and those who rely on its services.

“The reality is there's so many people out there who have to worry about either paying their rent or eating,” said Richter.

Agape Table’s annual Christmas dinner is planned to take place Dec. 24 this year. In the lead up to the dinner, Richter said donations of food, and necessities like toothbrushes and warm clothing, go a long way as gifts for clients.

“Most people look at their Christmas stocking and say, ‘oh, I got the socks again, I got the underwear, I got the pajamas. And you know what? Those are our most needed items here,” said Richter.

Christmas Cheer board

Volunteers at the Christmas Cheerboard have been busily packing up holiday hampers lately.

• Christmas Cheer Board needs 'to push hard' to reach 2014 goal

Kai Madsen, executive director at the Christmas Cheer board, said the highest demand is for groceries, cash donations, and presents for boys and girls ages 12 through 14.

“They are always difficult to buy for, so I'm depending on the expertise in the community,” said Madsen. “They probably have kids that age, so they'll know what’s the cool thing to buy.”

Missing and murdered

Nahanni Fontaine, special advisor on aboriginal women's issues for the province, is currently helping to plan a third annual Christmas celebration for families of missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls.

“The children represent ... the son or daughter of somebody who's gone missing or murdered,” said Fontaine. “So, it's just a wide range of family members of affected women.”

Fontaine said this year they're planning to prepare gifts for around 70 kids. They’re looking for donations in the form of gift cards, toys, and money to purchase additional supplies.

“It's a way for us and for Manitobans to show families we are thinking about them and understand what they are going through at this time of the year without their loved one,” said Fontaine.

Fontaine said she’s grateful to those who make donations that help families who have already lost so much.

Those who would like to donate items like toys, gifts, gift cards, or money can contact Fontaine directly at (204) 945-7812 or via email at Nahanni.Fontaine@leg.gov.mb.ca.

Fontaine said she is also happy to pick up donations.