The Okotoks Food Bank is continuing it's love for helping those in need this Christmas.

The food bank is currently experiencing a 35 percent increase in clients compared to this time last year. October 2014 to October 2015 saw a 50 percent increase in the number of families they're helping.

Sheila Hughes, Executive Director of the Okotoks Food Bank, says the Christmas Hamper program is a great way residents can get involved.

There's a few simple steps people can take to register for their Christmas hampers between November 23 and December 7.

"They just have to come in, provide pieces of id for everybody in their house hold, we ask them if there are any food allergies or considerations we need to know about," says Hughes. "We just ask for their address, phone number, an email address and cell phone number if they have it so we can contact them to remind them of hamper pick up."

Last year for the Christmas hamper program the food bank gave out 174 hampers and this year they're looking at giving out about 240.

The Adopt a Family program is also making a return.

Hughes says it's another great way to help local families and registration can be done online.

"There will be a page where they can sign up, there's two options. They can either purchase the non perishable items and provide a cheque for the perishable items we will purchase on their behalf, or they can provide a cheque or payment for the whole amount and we will purchase the entire food hamper on their behalf."

Businesses can also get involved with helping to keep shelves stocked at the food bank for the holidays by arranging their own food drive or coming down to the facility to help sort and stock the food from their own food drive as a service project or team building activity.

More information on the Christmas Hamper program, Adopt a Family, hosting food drives, as well as an up to date list of items in need can be found by clicking here.

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