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Christmas Charity Becomes Community Builder

Neechi Foods Community Store

Donations Transformed into Employment
Christmas hampers, quilts, and dozens of cookies lead to jobs, community development, and empowerment through LITE (Local Investment Towards Employment), a project that transforms donations into employment in Winnipeg’s inner city.

In 1994, concern was expressed over Christmas hampers delivered each year to needy families in the core areas of Winnipeg. The hampers were filled with supplies purchased from outside the area and did little to promote local economy. In partnership with MCC, the Christmas LITE project began. Almost $14,000 was raised that year to purchase supplies from Neechi Foods, a local worker-owned grocery co-op, that were then donated for hamper use.

Year-Round Help and Hope
Since then, LITE has expanded beyond its annual hamper drive to invest in other job-creation partners. Donations go towards purchasing supplies and providing grants for job skills training. “Christmas LITE” has become simply “LITE” to recognize the year-round help and hope it brings.

And, with almost $140,000 raised this past year, LITE has outgrown its need for the initial MCC grants and staff-time, although warm sponsorship ties still connect the partners. 16 quilts purchased by LITE from the Northern Star Workers Co-Operative were donated to MCC and sent to refugees in Afghanistan, combining LITE’s local development with MCC’s international relief work.

Sweet Grass Roads drummer at pancake breakfast fundraiser

Donations support LITE partners such as:

• Odd Jobs for Kids - provides youth with jobs and skills training
• North End Housing Project – employs local residents to renovate houses
• Andrews Street Family Centre Catering Business – hires local residents to bake 1200 dozen cookies for Christmas hampers

For more information on LITE, see their website at http://www.lite.mb.ca