The Hanukkah Hamper program was created as a chesed project, where people in the community could support families in need to celebrate Hanukkah in a meaningful way. Since then, this program has become an annual event!

The program is for clients who have children under 18 who celebrate Hanukkah. Families with a child(ren) over 18 years old living with a disability or an impairment are also included in this program. Each donor family is matched with an anonymous recipient family – with information about the families to help guide donors when buying a hamper.  It is an opportunity to get the whole family involved in selecting items, decorating and writing kind messages.  For many recipient families, these gifts may be the only ones they receive this season.

If you are interested in taking part in the Hanukkah Hamper program, please click here to register.

woman holding a teddy bear
bags full of presents

Frequently Asked Questions

We have been very lucky to have enough donor families to help every year.

But, it is always good to know who is interested in helping out in case we have a shortfall this year. Please contact our Hanukkah Hamper Chair, Judy Weinstein at [email protected] with your referral.

Thanks for helping us spread the word!

The CONTENTS of the HAMPER are up to you and your family.  Here are just a few examples of some items included in the past:

  • Oil, latke mixes, dreidels, chocolate money and candles
  • Toys, family games for the kids
  • Clothing items including cold weather accessories
  • Handmade cards from kids
  • Gift cards to clothing stores ie. Old Navy, Walmart, Toys R Us or even a local grocer like Superstore, Safeway (where there are multiple and easily accessible store locations throughout the Lower Mainland)

When PACKAGING your hamper, what has worked well is packaging that can be re-purposed by the families like knapsacks, baskets, reusable bags, roll away bags, suitcases or even plastic totes.

That is usually the case, but wrapping paper isn’t the only option.

What has worked well is packaging items that can be reused by the families including knapsacks, baskets, roll-away bags, mini-suitcases for kids, and plastic totes.

Once delivered to JFS, the hamper your family has created will then be given to the intended recipient family. 

Any information you provide for tax receipt purposes and send directly to JFS via mail or email to [email protected] remain confidential and are not shared with any external parties.

Please note that any Volunteer Chair(s) of the Hanukkah Hamper program do not have access to any confidential information that have been directly shared with JFS staff.

Hampers are due to the JFS on November 27 and 28, 2023 to ensure the client families have their Hampers before Hanukkah.

The address for Hamper drop-offs is 320-2285 Clark Drive, Vancouver (Clark and 7th Ave)

Once your hamper is complete, you can deliver it to JFS at 320-2285 Clark Dr. Vancouver, BC (Clark and 7th)

Drop-off at the JFS office will be on November 27-28 ONLY! 

Please remember to attach your TAG with your client family number to your hamper, found in your Hanukkah Hamper Toolkit. This will ensure it goes to the intended recipient's family.

Receipts from your hamper purchase can be turned in for a tax receipt.  Please scan and email them along with the tax receipt form, also found in your Hanukkah Hamper Toolkit to [email protected] with the subject line: Hanukkah Hamper Receipts.  Mailing your form and receipts is also an option. Please send Attn: Development Office, 320 – 2285 Clark Dr, Vancouver BC V5N 3G9. To be eligible for this year’s tax receipt, your documents must be received by December 31.

Purchased items (including gift cards), minus the tax, are eligible for a tax receipt. Please note that any taxes paid on goods are not eligible.

Receipts from your hamper purchase can be turned in for a tax receipt.  Three ways to turn in your receipts:

  • In person – Put your tax receipt form (found in your Hanukkah Hamper Toolkit), and all eligible receipts into an envelope and hand it in with your Hamper at drop off
  • By email – Scan and email them along with the tax receipt form to [email protected] subject line: Hanukkah Hamper Receipts.
  • By Mail – send your form and receipts by mail to JFS Attn: Development Office, 320 – 2885 Clark Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 3G9.

To be eligible for this year’s tax receipt, your documents must be received by JFS by December 31.

PLEASE NOTE: To avoid inaccuracies with the tax receipts, receipts with non-hamper items will no longer be accepted.

You will receive a tax receipt within a few weeks of submission of your receipts.

Thank you for the care and attention you put into your Hanukkah Hampers. We understand you want to put together a thoughtful and useful package.

We want you to know we have made every effort to collect as much information as we can prior to providing you your family’s information. Some families are more detailed with their requests, while others are extremely grateful with whatever you put together.  Every family that receives the Hanukkah Hampers are grateful you have brought light to this holiday for them and their family.

So, at this time, no further information will be available other than what is provided in the initial description of the matched recipient family.

Thank you for your interest in helping make Hanukkah brighter for so many families this year.

To participate this year as a Hanukkah Hamper donor you must register by clicking HERE.  You will be contacted by the Hanukkah Hamper Program Chair once you are registered. Please note, there are a limited number of donors that will be required this year and it is based on a first-come basis.

We want to stress that there are no expectations from the recipient family. They are grateful for any gifts they can share with their children during this time.  Any value donated will be appreciated – give what you feel comfortable giving.

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