Christmas Fund

For only the third time in its 66-year history, the Times Colonist Christmas Fund has hit half a million dollars.

Food bank collects donations from farms and grocers; helps thousands of people every month.

Bridges for Women Society gave out 90 gift certificates to clients last year and expects to distribute the same number this holiday season, with help from the Times Colonist Christmas Fund.

The Times Colonist Christmas Fund, with donations from TC readers, helps to pay for the annual meal.

This year’s Times Colonist Christmas Fund campaign reached $410,619 on Friday, with that money coming from 1,530 donors.

With record community support, Dance Victoria is offering needy kids and their families tickets to The Nutcracker and another dance production

Market Square in downtown Victoria, 560 Johnson St., will be filled with musicians of all ages and gleaming brass instruments to raise money for the Times Colonist Christmas Fund

With skyrocketing grocery costs and high rents, many people, including women fleeing violence, are forced to cut down on the quality and quantity of their food — or to choose between paying rent or buying food.

Donations from TC readers provided everything from food to bus passes for arriving families, and helped finance the creation of Ukrainian Village, a transitional housing community

Parents and caregivers can make an appointment and personally choose appropriate toys and gifts for all the children in their family.