Community groups will meet this week to coordinate Christmas support efforts for needy families in the Foothills.

Okotoks Family Resource Centre Coordinator Sherri Mullen says the meeting usually draws representation from organizations like area food banks, The Magic of Christmas, Rowan House, The Salvation Army, the MD of Foothills and Family and Community Support Services.

She adds that anyone interested in providing a Christmas support program for the Foothills is welcome to attend and share their ideas.

"We actually pull together all of the organizations that offer Christmas supports to a meeting so everyone can work together," Mullen explains. "So if there's anybody out there that's thinking about offering any type of a Christmas program, or a meal, or what have you, we would love to invite them to that meeting."

She adds that it's all about working together to best provide for Foothills families and a coordinated response will make it easier for those families to get the help they need for the holidays.

"It's a busy time of year and there is a lot of financial stress as well as emotional stress during the holidays," Mullen says. "And so if  people are worried about how they're going to put the turkey dinner on the table, if they're worried about what they're going to do for gifts for children, we want to take away that stress and make it as easy as possible."

The Foothills Christmas Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Rowan House.

Anyone interested in attending can contact the Okotoks Family Resource Centre at (403) 995-2626,

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