Families in need receiving help over the holidays from Calgary charity

A Calgary charity aims to bring cheer to families in need this holiday season with an adopt-a-family program that provides gift cards to help with expenses.

Closer to Home’s Adopt-A-Family program is looking to provide support for 800 families in need this holiday season.

The annual campaign is in its 16th year and Sarah Anne Taylor, senior manager of philanthropy, says it’s been a difficult few years for families struggling to make ends meet with rising costs of food, utility and rent.

“Most of our families are coming through our Family Resource Network and through our various and community programs so they’re already getting services from Closer to Home,” she said.

“Others come through community partners because we want to make sure that no families that are needing support are falling through the cracks.”

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Taylor says families can also apply online to the seasonal program by filling out a request form, then they’ll be connected to all of the charity’s services and programs.

“Then we get to start this really great relationship and journey with them, even after the fact,” said Taylor.

Farhia Botan, community connector and family support worker, is at the front line of the charity talking to families about their challenges, especially during the holiday season.

“They are really worried about providing basic needs for their families so it is quite stressful for them over the holidays,” she said.

“There’s various situations, it could be lack of support, it could be also looking for jobs or just the crisis going on right now with this economy.”

In 2009 when the program began, Closer to Home was able to raise $10,000 to purchase physical gifts and food hampers to support 52 families.

Now, the mark is typically set at 800 families and the charity raises more than $700,000 to purchase gift cards instead of gifts.

“So it does take a lot but it’s so worth it,” Taylor said. “(Help) gets into the hands of those that need it most, at a time that can be really stressful - and alleviate some of that stress off their shoulders and let them know that we’re here and they can always count on us.”

Families receive gift cards valued at $125 per person in the household, so a family of four would receive $500 in support.

“We’re asking everyone who’s out there looking to make a philanthropic gift this year to check us out,” Taylor said.

“You can go and adopt a family the size of two all the way to 12.”

Taylor says as of Dec. 10, there are 313 families who are waiting to be adopted.

She adds donations of any size help provide relief and joy for families across Calgary.

Closer to Home aims to complete all family matches by Dec. 15 to ensure gift cards are distributed in time for the holidays.

However, contributions will be accepted into the new year if needed.

Learn more about the program here: www.closertohome.com/aaf.