While some people are expecting to see their credit card bills balloon over the holiday season, others are struggling to put a simple Christmas dinner on the table. Luckily for thousands of Hamiltonians, the Good Shepherd has them covered.

If Santa’s workshop was a grocery store, it be the Good Shepherd’s food bank during christmas time: volunteers everywhere stacking shelves and packing bags, all to help people have a holiday they deserve.

About 7,000 Hamiltonians pre-registered to pick up food for the holiday season, a 10% increase from last year. The Good Shepherd says boosted rents are the likely the cause.

Families have their choice of all the holiday staples to make their dinner complete. The amount of food available to grab is relative to the group size.

Colleen’s parents used to host Christmas dinner, but since their passing and life becoming more expensive, the food bank allows her and her remaining family to celebrate together.

Of course, no Christmas is complete without toys for kids of all ages.

While food donations flood places like the Good Shepherd during this time of years, it’s worth reminding that people are always hungry and donations are needed year round.