Saskatoon’s non-profit scene is uniting to address food insecurity this holiday season. 

Through Operation Santa 2025, sixteen community organizations will band together to provide local families-in-need with food hampers, gift cards, and gifts. These families are not asked to apply. Instead, they are referred to the program by the community organizations themselves. Many of these families wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a holiday meal or gifts. 

Operation Santa Director Shirley Greyeyes spoke at the launch of the initiative at White Buffalo Youth Lodge on Monday. She says Operation Santa “provides a helping hand through a time that there is a need for some families who don’t have the same opportunities that you and I have. It gives them that little bit of extra help through a time when schools are closed, and services are not as abundant or open.” 

Community members can also support Operation Santa by volunteering, donating, or even adopting a family. This is comprised of choosing what size of family you’d like to support, and then either making a cash donation or purchasing food, gifts and essentials for your adopted family. The hampers can then be dropped off in early December and delivered over the holidays. Those who are interested can learn more and sign up to adopt a family here.