Boxes of Love hands out hundreds of holiday hampers to families in need

The Christmas spirit is high in Vancouver after an annual charity event handed out holiday hampers to families in need.

Hundreds of families gathered at Broadway Church in Vancouver Sunday for fun, free festivities and went home with holiday hampers that will help ease the financial burden many face during the season.

CityReach Care Society handed out about 800 “boxes of love,” which include essentials like grocery gift cards and hygiene items as well as presents for kids to unwrap on Christmas.

The charity says there has been an increase in demand for its services and many of the families who attended Sunday’s party are part of its food bank program.

“A lot of the families, they don’t have the disposable income to buy gifts for their kids. And so this is a small little way that we can just reach out, reach across to them and say, ‘Hey, somebody’s in your corner, somebody sees you, somebody loves you,’” Simon Gau, executive director of CityReach, told CTV News.

“I have four kids, so any little bit helps,” said attendee Flora Stewart. “It’s pretty uplifting and it’s nice to see all the generosity and just the Christmas spirit.”

Children got to meet Santa, decorate cookies, drink hot chocolate and get face paint.

“I like how Santa is always being cool,” Elliott, who got to take part in the fun, told CTV News. “And you better be nice or else you’ll be on the naughty list – I’m on the good list!”