Now that it is coming closer to the holiday season, AIDS Calgary Awareness Association (ACAA) is preparing for its Hamper program.

On December 16th the Hampers will be distributed to ACAA clients in Calgary, Medicine Hat and Bow Valley.

"The Holiday Hamper program provides clients with a grocery card and a gift. The gift card allows clients to choose grocery items that fit their cultural, religious and dietary needs.  Around the holidays, there are often extra expenses such as gifts, insulated winter items, higher utility bills, transportation costs, etc," said Capri Rasmussen, Team Leader of HIV Support Services at ACAA.  "The Holiday Hamper program provides additional support to many of the individuals and families we serve who are living on low incomes."

According to Rasmussen, about 140 Hampers are expected to be given out this year.

To collect donations for this program, ACAA is asking the community to make a difference in the lives of people they serve by donating to this program.

One ACAA client remarked, "Holiday Hampers help me tremendously! What I get, I use to a great extent and [it] lasts me a long time! Keep up the great work [in] helping a lot of others during the joyous Christmas season."

Those wishing to make a difference are asked to visit ACAA’s website at to donate online. Directions on how to mail donations are also available online.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to make a donation during the holiday season.