Holiday Hampers,
a heartwarming program with immense impact
Every year in mid-November, TDSB social workers share the stories of families in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. Many face challenges such as illness, unemployment, underemployment, poverty, domestic violence, disabilities, or mental health issues. Some are newcomers to Canada, working hard to rebuild their lives with very limited resources.
These parents are doing their best to provide the basics — food on the table, warm clothing for their children — yet the holidays often feel out of reach. The hampers bring comfort, hope, and joy, making an extraordinary difference in their lives.
Those in need also include youth who cannot live at home, often because of abuse or neglect, and who are residing in community shelters. For many of these teens, the hampers hold the only gifts they’ll receive — a reminder they are seen, cared for and not alone.
How it Works
Social workers meet with recipient families and compile a wish list for each family member including items such as toys, clothing, household necessities and gift certificates. The wish list is personalized with colours, sizes and preferences so the children will receive gifts that they actually want, need and will fit them.
Participating schools can choose to support one family per classroom, one per grade or advisor group, or several smaller classrooms supporting one large family. Each school will receive however many family profiles they’ve requested and are asked to collect contributions towards the family’s wish list.
Each classroom, student or staff group requires volunteers to co-ordinate donations and ensure that all family members receive items off their wish list. A school wide assembly can be held to introduce the initiative and let students know where they can drop off donations.
The social workers pick up hampers from the schools just before the holidays and deliver them directly to the families.
Real Families. Real Challenges. Real Impact.
View real profiles from past years below and see the meaningful difference support can make
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Dear school community,
K. is a 14-year-old student who lives at home with her mother, 10-year-old sister, 20-year-old brother, her two older sisters, one of which has two children aged 2 and 3 years old.
A month ago, K’s dad died suddenly which left the family feeling tremendously sad and struggling with finances. K. works hard in school, but at times it is hard for her to focus due to the loss of her dad.
The older children (23 and 25-year-old) are doing a lot of the caretaking of the younger children at present, as their mother had to recently fly back to her home country to take care of her mother who had a stroke.
When I discussed the possibly of receiving support this holiday by the school community, the older sister began to cry, as she felt so grateful to be cared about by others.
Boy 2 years old: He needs winter boots (Size 8 children) and loves the colour blue. He loves to draw, and colour so colouring books and crayons would be fun for him.
Girl 3-year-old: She also needs boots (size 9 children) and loves the colour purple. She also loves to draw and colour so books and crayons would also be fun.
Girl 10-year-old: Needs a coat and mittens (Children’s size Medium) and loves the colour purple. Girl 14-year-old: Needs a new winter coat (dark colour) – women’s size Large or XL. She is also artistic and loves to create her own art projects.
Any gifts for the older family members, 20 year old brother, and 2 sisters (ages 23 & 25) would be much appreciated. The family would also be so grateful for and benefit from gift cards to No Frills, Walmart or Winners (if coats and boots are not able to be attained).
Many thanks to the students and parents for their generosity and kindness. On behalf of the family, sincere thanks
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Dear School Community,
Thank you so much for the support you can offer our families specially at this time of year when there are so many extra expenses that families face.
SP is a 17-year-old youth who lives at home with her mother, father and two younger sisters (ages 8 and 12). The family’s only source of income is the ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) that they receive due to her father’s medical condition. Her father is not able to work as a result. Her mother too has not been able to work as she is the main caregiver for everyone including SP’s father. With only ODSP as their income, the family has been struggling to make ends meet for some time.
Being the oldest sibling, SP has been doing odd jobs in the community to try to help her family. The family will be truly appreciative of any help that can be provided.
Some ideas: The family would appreciate gift cards for grocery/drug stores. They currently shop at Food Basics, No Frills, Costco, Walmart, and Shopper’s Drug Mart. They will also shop at Walmart to purchase clothing and other household items.
SP (17-year-old female): She needs clothing – especially warm clothing. She prefers clothes in black or grey. women’s size small in tops, women’s size medium in hoodies or sweatshirts, and women’s size small in sweatpants (sweatpants with a cuff at the bottom are her preferred style).
GL (sister to SP, 12-year-old female): She wears clothing similar sizes to SP and they often share clothing. She also needs warm clothing like sweatshirts/hoodies and sweatpants. She wears the same size as SP.
DD (youngest sister, 8-year-old female): She needs a pair of winter boots. She wears size 3 in kid’s sizes. She also needs warm clothing. Her favourite colours are purple and pink. If possible, she also enjoys arts and crafts so any arts and crafts activity would be much appreciated.
Whole family/household:
New pillows, a set of sheets (for double and queen size beds) and a blender.
Sending you the family’s sincerest gratitude in advance. They are humbled at the opportunity to be showered with such kindness and generosity!
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Dear School Community,
J. is a 10-year-old student who lives at home with her mother, her 12-year-old brother, 2-year-old sister, and her 5-year-old cousin. J’s dad is not in the picture and her mom is a single mother. J was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 4 years old, and though she works hard in school, it is hard for her to focus due to self-regulation and lack of social skills.
J’s mother is a hard-working single mom who had to legally adopt her nephew at a young age. She is working to go back to school as a counsellor to give back to her community. J’s mother has been having to use food banks to be able to make ends meet and when I discussed the possibly of receiving support this holiday by the school community, she felt so grateful and overwhelmed at the thought of being cared about by others.
Boy 5 years old: He needs winter boots (Size 11 children). He loves to toy cars, figurines, and drawing so colouring books and crayons would be fun for him.
Girl 2-year-old: She also needs boots (size 8 children). She also loves stuffed toys and little people.
J - Girl 10-year-old: She also needs boots (size 9 women). J is a tall girl and loves all things girly and would love any supplies like nail polish, and hair supplies. She loves fidgets and uses art and drawing as a calming tool so any art supplies would be appreciated.
Boy 12-year-old: He needs winter boots (Size 9 men’s). He loves video games, books, and is also artistic.
Mom: She would love any cooking supplies and home supplies (candles). She also loves to read. The family would also be so grateful for and benefit from gift cards to grocery stores, ie: Walmart.
Our deepest gratitude to the students and parents for their generosity and kindness. On behalf of the family, we cannot thank you enough.
How to build an amazing Holiday Hamper
Creating a meaningful hamper takes time and care. Tips below on making each family’s hamper thoughtful and personalized
Keep Track
Create a shared doc to keep track of donations to avoid duplications and ensure each family member receives at least one or two items from their profile wish list
New Items Only
Holiday Hampers are meant to be special. Please donate items that are new or in “like new” condition, so families receive gifts they can enjoy with pride
Presents & Gift Cards
An amazing hamper includes both presents for each family member, as well as several gift cards for groceries, clothes, h ousehold items and small indulgences (such as Walmart, Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, Tim Hortons, Subway, Cineplex, Winners)
Holiday Cards
Add heartfelt holiday cards with messages of hope and support. These can be placed inside the hamper along with grocery gift cards.
Use Gift Bags
Please don’t wrap the presents. Instead, place them in unsealed gift bags with name tags for each family member — this helps social workers check items easily
Decorate
Have fun making the hamper beautiful. Add ribbons, stickers, snowflakes, or wrapping paper accents to create a festive, joyful experience for the family
