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Holiday Hamper: Sponsor a Girls Inc. Participant
November 27, 2023 - December 22, 2023
This Holiday Season it’s our mission that no Girls Inc. family goes without gifts and a holiday meal!
The holidays can be a very stressful time for families on fixed or low incomes. Parents must often choose basic necessities over a special meal or gifts for their children. By sponsoring a Girls Inc. Holiday Hamper you are ensuring that all Girls Inc. participants and their families get to enjoy a Holiday Season they otherwise might not have.
Help us by Sponsoring or Supporting a Girls Inc. participant and her family with a Holiday Hamper this Festive Season!
Did you know Girls Inc. of York Region had a more than 100% increase in subsidy requests for our paid-for programs this year in comparison to 2022? That is the highest increase in Girls Inc. history and it tells us that families in the communities we live in are struggling to make ends meet and provide for their children.
What are we asking for? Monetary donations.
We recommend $50 per family member for groceries and $75 per child for gifts. Our families include both single parents/guardians and couples, so we give a range to account for adults with groceries, but not gifts. Let us know you, your workplace, or your organization’s budget or fundraising goal and we will match you with the appropriate family.
Why do you want gift cards and monetary donations and not toys/gifts for kids? Each child is unique in their wants, needs and interests; by making a monetary donation you are allowing the parents/guardians of each child to choose the perfect gift for their child, whether that be a new toy or game that they have on their wish list or clothing/shoes that the child likes and is in their appropriate size.
How do we know that the family we’re sponsoring truly needs assistance? Only families approved to be a part of our subsidy program receive Hampers. Girls Inc. of York Region has a rigorous subsidy application process that reviews all parents/guardians’ income to ensure all families who receive subsidies meet the “low income” criteria to receive financial assistance with the cost of programs, services and a Holiday Hamper.
This is Girls Inc. so why do boys in families of Girls Inc. participants get gifts too? At Girls Inc. we support the WHOLE girl meaning to be able to empower girls we must support them in their education, mental health, physical health, psycho-social skills and home life. Part of supporting their home lives means supporting their families and during the holiday season, we do that by ensuring all children in the home, regardless of gender get gifts they might not otherwise receive.
What else goes in a Holiday Hamper other than gift cards? Thanks to some sponsors and community supporters the baskets are filled with several items;
Warm socks and mittens for each child
A family gift, typically a board game
Personal hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, lotions, lip balm, toothpaste and toothbrushes for each family member.
A sweet treat like holiday chocolate or a gingerbread house