Victory Church in Grande Prairie is looking to let families around Grande Prairie know they are cared for this holiday season with their “Family Fun Baskets” giveaway.
Pastor Charlotte Quist says the church started the project to ensure families are taken care of during the stressful holiday season. She says while financial support is important, many people simply need to know that someone in their community cares.
“We usually try to give in places in financial need, that’s an ongoing thing and obviously people are very focused on that during Christmas time, but we also have been really noticing that hard times come in all sorts of different packages,” she says. “Sometimes you just need to know that someone cares that you exist.”
Victory is looking to send out 50 baskets to anyone in need in Grande Prairie and Quist says the baskets are an important part of the season as it is easy for some individuals to feel “hopeless” due to the burden that sometimes comes with the holidays.
“When people feel like they can’t get out of whatever circumstances they’re facing, an act of kindness or letting someone know they are seen totally changes their perspective,” she says. “Sometimes all that you need is a little spark of hope to get through the day and I think the basic need of everybody is to feel loved, to feel known.”
According to Quist, baskets have been sponsored by families in the church, and contain a gift card, a “family book,” and a family board game.
