Phone lines are now open for Winnipeggers hoping for a holiday hamper from the Christmas Cheer Board. As of Tuesday, low-income Winnipeggers, pensioners, students and new Canadians are invited to call the Hamper Application Contact Centre at 204-989-5683 to sign up. Application hours are Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Nov. 3 to Dec. 1. Between Dec. 2 and 22, the hours extend to between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final day for applications is Dec. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Cheer Board asks that applicants provide the 9-digit Manitoba health card number for all adults in their household. Income assistance applicants can call 204-948-2022 to sign up for a hamper. Applications are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday until Dec. 22. Applicants must have their income assistance case numbers at the ready. Pickups and deliveries Applicants will be able to start picking up their hampers at 1441 Main St. beginning on Dec. 7. Deliveries will take place between Dec. 9 and 23. The Cheer Board notes that deliveries are done by volunteers, so dates and times cannot be provided in advance. If your hamper is sponsored, it will be delivered by the sponsor rather than a Cheer Board volunteer.
