The annual Christmas food box program is underway in Greater Moncton.

It is being handled by the Peter McKee Community Centre this year.

General Manager Christine Taylor says the phones haven’t stopped ringing since they began taking registrations.

“The phone lines just opened up last Monday. They’ve been going nonstop and I know some people are getting frustrated because they can’t get through. We do have the two numbers this year, and I just encourage people just to keep calling. You’ll get through eventually. If you don’t have a phone or can’t get a hold of us, come down in person and we’ll register you. But once we hit that 1700 we have to stop.”

Taylor expects to reach their quota for the boxes by early next week.

The boxes are filled with everything for Christmas dinner, including potatoes, carrots, stuffing, gravy, sweet treats, cookies and some candies. There’s also milk, bread pancake mix cereal, and extra things that will get you through for a couple of days.

“The one thing that we’re doing this year different from last year is we aren’t offering the hams. Last year we had an option of that or the sandwich meats. We will just have turkey this year,” Taylor says.

To qualify for a Christmas box, you have to either be a client of the Peter McKee Community Centre, receiving social income assistance or be a senior receiving a guaranteed income supplement. You also must have a Moncton address.

Boxes will be delivered on December 20th. Volunteers will be needed that day to make those deliveries. Those interested in helping out should line up at the Moncton Coliseum at noon in their vehicle.

Taylor says they’ve seen many volunteers coming out of wanting to help.   She says they started getting calls in September from people who wanted to step up in any way they could.

If you want to register for a Christmas box, the numbers to call are 506-377-5530 or 506-377-2790.

Monetary donations and donations of non-perishable food items are also needed and can be dropped off at the Centre.