Families in need will once again benefit from Operation Santa this holiday season with the organization is gearing up for another season of handing out food and gift hampers.

Operation Santa Co-chair Shirey Greyeyes says the initiative provides families of all sizes with food hampers, gifts and comfort items.

“Last year we did the 548 families, 2480 gifts, gift cards, hundreds of hours of volunteers, hundreds of hours of organizing.”

The program has been running since 2009, and this year, they aim to help 750 families, their most ambitious goal to date.

She adds that you don’t have to have children to be considered a family-in-need.

“It could be Kookum or aunties or uncles, or it could be just all adults. That’s still a family, and we’re still going to support them regardless of if there are children or not.”

The organization’s manager Carol Whitecalf says unhoused people will be provided with hampers too, filled with goods better suited to their needs.

“Their gifts will look a little bit different by way of warmth, so (they’ll be getting) hot pockets, socks, mitts, toques, and still some chocolates and some fun gifts for them too they can enjoy the holiday season, as well.”

To get involved, you can donate cash, volunteer, sponsor a hamper or adopt a family. For more information, visit the Operation Santa Facebook page.

After all the goods are collected, Santa and an elf deliver the hampers to families in need.