Community Living Central York seeks community support to give those in need something special for the holiday season.
The non-profit helping people with intellectual disabilities is running a holiday gift card drive untill Dec. 31. The Newmarket-based agency hopes to provide all of the more than 450 people it supports with a special gift for the holiday season, whether groceries or a treat they rarely experience.
Manager of supported independent living Amanda Wikke said many of those they help lack the money to get themselves much for the holidays.
“The cost of groceries has increased astronomically in the past two years. The government subsidies haven’t increased at all to help accommodate like that,” she said, adding many cannot afford to be able to go out for a meal.
The first-year initiative wants all kinds of gift cards to be distributed to those in need throughout the organization’s programs. Charitable tax receipts are available for gifts over $20.
Wikke said the campaign is going well so far.
“We have seen quite some interest, and people are being very generous, which is wonderful,” she said.
She noted rent rates and housing are also a struggle for those they support, contributing to the limited budgets they experience.
Grocery cards, or cards for stores that sell a variety of products, are ideal, she said. But she added any gift card can help.
“Things like Netflix, Amazon gift cards,” she said. “Things we all tend to enjoy in our lives that we don’t take into consideration that many people who are on a very limited budget can't afford.”
Wikke said the agency has managed the pandemic and the new wave through protocols and training. But she added staffing is a challenge.
“For a lot of people, staff are burned out. They didn’t stop all pandemic,” she said. “It’s going to be a struggle.”
You can donate gift cards at Community Living Central York at 575 Penrose St. You can also donate digital gift cards at clcy.ca/donations.
