Donations still needed to help stuff the bus

By Lethbridge Herald on December 12, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Christmas Hope Campaign is asking residents for help during the final push before the holidays, and on Saturday there will be an opportunity do just that by stuffing the Lethbridge Transit Holiday Bus. 

On Saturday night between 5 and 9 p.m. the Holiday Bus will be parked in front of Save-on Foods North for residents to stop by and “Stuff the Bus” full of food and gifts for those in need this Christmas. 

Danielle McIntyre, executive director of the Interfaith Food Bank, one of the partner agencies of the Christmas Hope Campaign says this is a great opportunity for people to check out the bus, stop by and donate to the campaign in a variety of ways. 

“This is an easy opportunity for community members to give to Christmas Hope and Save on Foods have asked us ahead of time what food items we need the most and they have put them into food hampers available for purchase,” says McIntyre. 

She adds that volunteers from Lethbridge Transit will be collecting donations and in addition to food donations, community members are welcome to drop off gifts for children and/or seniors, or to make a financial donation to their Christmas Hope Charity or charities of choice. 

In terms of how the donations will be distributed among the Christmas Hope agencies, McIntyre says food items will be distributed evenly between the two food banks, if there are gifts of toys for children, they will be distributed evenly amongst the Salvation Army Toys for Tots, MyCityCare Shop of Wonders, and the Lethbridge Family Services Angel Tree. And if there are any gifts for seniors, they will go to the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization’s Golden Giving Tree.  

For those looking to stuff the bus with items, the Christmas Hope Campaign has released what they are in most need right now. 

Most needed toy items: 

• Teen gifts (13-17): Bluetooth speakers and headphones, Lego, gaming headphones, LED lights, makeup caddy, sports balls, board games, sports equipment, makeup kits, hygiene kits, slippers 

• Tween gifts (9-12): Nerf, Lego, beading and craft kits, remote controlled toys, action heroes, scooters 

Most needed food items: 

• Fresh or frozen meats (ground beef, chicken, ham, turkey), best donated at the food banks directly. 

• Scalloped potatoes or other sides 

• Cranberries 

• Fresh produce (fruits and vegetables), best donated at the food banks directly. 

• Grocery gift cards

Most needed seniors items: 

• Treats: chocolate, candy, candy canes 

• Men’s hygiene items: body wash, shampoo/conditioner, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes 

“Transit workers will be manning the bus, so we are confident that any gifts in kind will be safe on the bus. And if people wanted to give financially, there are QR codes on the bus where people can choose to scan that,” says McIntyre. 

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