In bit of a twist, the organization responsible for helping so many of the Cowichan Valley’s less fortunate desperately needs assistance so it may lend a hand to others during this holiday season.

“We desperately need a location to do our hampers out of,” said Violet Hayes, community services director for the local Salvation Army.

“At this point I am starting to panic.”

Hayes said, ideally, the army needs 3,000-square-feet of space or more.

“We’re packing 300 hampers and we have the toy part of it to do as well.”

In years past, places like Village Green Inn donated space and last year the Sally Ann had a space on Station Street.

“But that was too small and it didn’t work too well,” said Hayes.

“Hopefully we can get someplace where people can get a vehicle up to,” she said, noting being able to park close means people don’t have to struggle to carry a hamper a longer distance.

In the meantime, the Sally Ann kicks off its annual campaign today at city square with its Christmas kettle program.

The Kettle Program raised $53,390.56 last year and the Christmas Letter appeal (receipted donations) raised $56,000, all of which went to help those in the valley experiencing hardships.

Hayes also put out a call for kettle ringers, the folks who tend the Christmas cauldrons, at 10 different locations in the valley, including eight in Duncan and those in Chemainus and Mill Bay.

Anyone interested in helping is asked to call Susan at 250-732-0404.

“We always need people because there is always empty spots, so the more we get helps,” said Hayes.

As well, Salvation Army workers are trying to organize the hamper program.

“We’re in the process of trying to coordinate the hampers and get everything ready for the Adopt-a-family program, trying to match the people registered for that with the families,” said Hayes.

“So far about 200 families have registered for the hampers, but many more are expected to sign up.”

Hayes couldn’t say for sure if the need is greater in 2009 than in years past, but she suspects it is.

“It’s too early to say, but generally in our food programs through the year we’ve been way up, and I suspect it will be for Christmas as well,” said Hayes, who noted the local Sally Ann gave out about 300 hampers last Christmas.

The Angel Tree goes up next week in the Duncan Mall and people are invited to take a tag from the tree and buy a toy for a child.

“I’m really trying to, as much as possible, encourage people to sponsor a family, and they can buy specifically for that family that includes a hamper and some toys,” Hayes said.

“Some people will get a group of friends together and take it on as a group and each person will take a particular family member and help them.”

To help the Army reach its goals, the second annual Big Boy Toys/ RBC Food Drive for the Sally Ann takes place soon.

Big Boy Toys has donated one of its RVs that will start in Parksville and head down island. The goal is to fill the RV with non-perishable food items.

The RV will be in the Duncan RBC branch Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Last year the drive collected more than 5,500-lbs of food and 20 per cent was donated back to Duncan-area food banks.

The Sally Ann is also one of the recipients of the News Leader Pictorial’s annual Pennies For Presents drive, which is about to kick off in earnest. Look for more on that in Wednesday’s edition.

For more information about the Salvation Army, or to make a donation, call 250-746-8669.