When considering charitable donations leading up to Christmas why not start at home? If you donate to a local charity the money stays in your community and you are assured that the bulk of your donation is not going to administrative expenses. The bigger the charity, the bigger the administrative costs. You can check out charities on the Canada Revenue website. The financials they file with the CRA are public information (check it out at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html).
Your best bet is your local food bank, and not just at Christmas, but all year! The local Foothills food banks are gathering donations for their Christmas hampers so check with your local group for lists of what is needed most. The High River Salvation Army is collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts for families in the western corridor (Millarville to Longview) as well as High River this year.
Foothills Area Food Banks:
- High River: 119 Centre Street; phone: 403-652-2195
- Diamond/Valley (serving Millarville, Priddis, Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Longview and MD): 127 Royal Ave NW, Turner Valley; phone: 403-933-4114; website: http://www.unitedchurchinthevalley.ca/food-bank.html
- Okotoks: 7, 109 Stockton Pt.; phone: 403-651-6629; website: http://okotoksfoodbank.ca/
We have many worthwhile charities in our area such as Rowen House, Foothills Country Hospice, Literacy for Life, Heaven Can Wait, Foothills SNAPS, Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, High Country SPCA, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Bibles for Mission, Pound Rescue…..just to name a few. Check the local town websites for listings of the local charities.
Keep your donations close to home this year!