Boxes of Love brightens the season for families in need with holiday hampers

Volunteers hand out Boxes of Love Hundreds of holiday hampers are going out to low-income families across the Lower Mainland.

Hundreds of holiday hampers went out to low-income families across Metro Vancouver over the weekend as part of the annual Boxes of Love campaign.

Each “box of love” is filled with wrapped toys, Christmas treats and gift cards for groceries to help ease some of the holiday financial stress. A $200 donation sponsors a box for one family.

“We deal with people who are going through really hard times that have had all kinds of struggles, and why not be able to provide a really merry Christmas with their family in the way that they would like?” said Craig Savage, the CityReach Care Society’s Tri-Cities director.

He spoke to CTV News in Port Coquitlam Saturday where volunteers were busy handing out the care packages and running a cookie decorating station for kids.

The recipients of the boxes of love include single parents, people escaping difficult situations, and newcomers to Canada, Savage said.

“A moment like this just gives a little bit of joy to somebody who might be really struggling,” he said.

For the volunteers, the event is always a highlight of the year.

“It is one of the most rewarding things that any of us here do, to see the smiles on the faces of kids, having happy families, seeing them just enjoy Christmas,” said Savage.