Operation Santa launches to help families struggling with food insecurity

With Christmas just under a month away, Operation Santa launched in Saskatoon on Monday.

The project, organized by Indigenous groups and sponsors throughout Saskatoon, has the goal of giving families in need the special Christmas they deserve.

The campaign focuses on giving to families suffering from food insecurity, as well as those struggling to afford essentials like warm clothing.

This year, organizer Shirley Greyeyes said the project will help more than 500 families.

“We invited 11 agencies to list 50 families each. We didn’t get the 1,000 families (we wanted), but we’ve got close to 600. It’s not about Christmas; it’s about food security,” Greyeyes explained.

If enough money is raised, Greyeyes said the program could continue to support families into 2024.

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The campaign got a boosted start on Monday, with a $100,000 cheque from Dakota Dunes helping to get things rolling.

Greyeyes said the campaign means a lot to her, and really helps to give families in need a merry Christmas.

“It’s an opportunity to give back to those families in our community who really need the assistance,” she stated.

“Seeing a smile on a face, or being given the opportunity to give a loaf of bread or something to those families is what (this giving) means to me. I know what it’s like to be hungry, and I want them not to be hungry.”

Mark Arcand, Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, is also involved with the campaign. He said the support from Operation Santa can help a lot of people in the community.

“We know the cost of inflation is really hurting a lot of people right now, and your paycheques aren’t going up,” Arcand said. “This is really going to help support a lot of families.”

There are various ways you can help support families in need this year through the Operation Santa campaign.

Anyone who wants to help can do so by visiting the group’s Facebook page.

Greyeyes said any and all help is welcome.

“There’s a lot of ways you can volunteer,” she said. “Come and help us and come and make our community a better place to live in.”