The Grunthal Caring Hands Food Bank is looking to the community for support in order to put toys into their Christmas hampers.

Chair Robert Warkentin says this is the first year they are running independently from Steinbach Community Christmas noting they are collecting all their own food and toys in their own community.

"We’re looking for probably around 250 or so toys to get into about 130 hampers that will go out this month here," says Warkentin. "We’re also looking for any monetary donations. You can call us at the food bank and we’re definitely looking for some cash to help round out those hampers."

Warkentin notes they purchase a lot of the items for the hampers to make sure each one is filled with the same things.

He adds they have toy drop off bins at numerous locations in Grunthal including the Petro Can, Classis Impressions Salon, the grocery store, Green Valley School as well as the churches in the community.

The hampers will be distributed next Wednesday and Friday in the communities of Grunthal, Kleefeld, Pansy, and Sarto. 

He says the need has been increasing but at a steady rate. "I think last year we had about 120 and this year we’re expecting about 130, maybe a handful more than that," Warkentin says. "It is a slow increase every year. Our population is growing a little bit and there always is a need out there."

"We’re really looking for support from our community to pitch in and give us a hand."

If you have any questions you can contact Grunthal Caring Hands by emailing info@grunthalcaringhands.org or by calling 204-371-1394