Holiday Bus will bring cheer to the streets and those in need

By Lethbridge Herald on November 19, 2025.

The Holiday Bus is back for its second season to collect funds, food and toys for the Christmas Hope Campaign at five different locations.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Christmas Hope Campaign is getting a busload of help for the second year in a row from the city of Lethbridge through the Holiday Bus, which will be collecting non-perishable food items and unwrapped new toys. Joseph Bompiani, operations manager with Lethbridge Transit, said the Holiday Bus was a huge source of brightness and joy last year, and they were thrilled to bring it back. “Year one was great from what was estimated, about $1,500 were collected in food and donations. It was a great start,” said Bompiani. 

He said it was even better than they expected as last year they decorated the bus “on the fly” but this year they are better prepared. 

“We’re really trying to roll out to the fullest of our ability this year. So, we’re very optimistic for it. It’s a fantastic campaign and we’re very happy to be partnered with them.”

The Christmas Hope Campaign it is meaningful for not only those in the office, but to the drivers and others who depend on the campaign.

“We have five locations this year,” said Bompiani. “The dates will vary from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. Some of those locations will include the Christmas Tree Lightning at Festival Square, Glow Lethbridge, the Winter Lights Festival, Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Stuff the Bus campaign at Save on Foods north.”

The bus will be stationary at those locations for people to hop in it, take photos and drop off donations. 

Danielle McIntyre, executive director of the Interfaith Food Bank, one of the seven organizations involved in the campaign, said they have always had an amazing relationship with the city of Lethbridge. 

“Transit has a history of supporting the food banks in our Christmas Hope initiatives for years through the Stuff a bus campaign in the past, but the Holiday Bus was a new initiative last year,” said McIntyre. 

She said they are not only excited about in the sense that it raises funds, food, and toys for the Christmas Hope campaign, but because it is a spectacle. 

“It is something that really draws people’s eyes to the festivity of the season, but also to the need to support others. Having the bus at so many community events, it is really a great opportunity for us to get the word out on top of raising the supports that we need to help local families.” 

She said it’s nice this year to have some predetermined sites so people can be aware ahead of time and they can plan their visit to those events accordingly. 

Kaitlyn Weaver, executive director of Lethbridge Senior Centre, the newest partner of the Christmas Hope Campaign said seniors across the city utilize transit throughout the year, so to see this support for seniors and for families and individuals who need some cheering up, she thinks is lovely and LSCO appreciates it. 

“I think because it’s new this year, it’s good to have opportunities like this to remind folks to think of seniors when they’re giving gifts, there’s lots of things that seniors might want or might even need,” said Weaver. 

She said many seniors usually ask for blankets, slippers and tea among other things, and she hopes that while people are doing their Christmas shopping this year, they grab something they think a senior may like to find under the tree. 

“Maybe when you’re doing your Christmas shopping you can think, would my great uncle or my grandparent like to see that under their tree? That’s a good way to remember that the seniors are here.”

Wrapped in tinsel, lights and decorations, the Holiday Bus will make stops at:

• Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. – Downtown Lethbridge BRZ Christmas Tree Lighting at Festival Square

• Saturday, Nov. 29, from 3 to 7 p.m. – Glow Lethbridge and Big Christmas & Farmers’ Market at Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre

• Saturday, Dec.  6, from 5 to 8 p.m. – Lethbridge Hurricanes vs. Calgary Hitmen at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena

• Saturday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. – Stuff-a-Bus Campaign at Save-On-Foods North

• Thursday, Dec.18, from 5 to 9 p.m. – Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

For more information about the Christmas Hope campaign, go to christmashope.ca.