It's been a very busy week in Lorette as volunteers get everything ready for Christmas hampers.

Tache food bank spokesperson Irene Bialek says there is a strong core group of volunteers, but every year she tries to accommodate all of the different groups interested in volunteering. “We have a very large volunteer base because people will submit their names to me and say if you need help give me a call. We try to give everyone a chance to help out as much as possible without having the place flooded with people.”

Bialek notes there is wonderful support from the business community as well as many organizations like the highschool, the girl's hockey team, 4-H clubs, Brownies, Girl Guides, Cadets and so many more.

She notes, the food bank in Lorette has been around since 2003 and covers the RM of Tache. Right now Bialek says 51 families have registered for a Christmas hamper this year, that number includes 125 children. “Hamper registration closes on December 14, so we anticipate a few more families will be added to that list yet.”

During the year, Bialek says they have about 25 families who rely on the food bank regularly, but that number always increases greatly during the holidays. “So we help families from St. Genevieve into Landmark, west to Ile Des Chenes, then north to the number 1 Highway to Richland Road. So it encompasses the RM of Tache. That's why we are called the Tache Food Bank because we do serve the entire Municipality.“

Bialek says hampers were packed this weekend by the Girl Guides, their parents and leaders, the Lorette Family Fun Group, Notre Dame de Lorette Parish, and seniors from the community. She says she also very grateful to the business community and other organizations for their support.