Mission Christmas Bureau distributes toys to over 1,000 children in 2025

Published 5:30 am Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Mission Community Services Society (MCSS) Christmas Bureau provided food and toys to over 1,300 individuals in December.

In total, 1,044 children received toys and 335 food hampers were distributed. Extra toys were donated to Agassiz-Harrison Community Services and SARA for Women.

During the 2025 campaign, MCSS said more families were in need.

“We found a lot of new faces this year,” MCSS program coordinator for volunteers and events Shaila Gnyp said.

MCSS executive director Lisa Nissanov said FreshCo and TransLink were among the biggest supporters, while food drives from both Mission RCMP and Mission Fire Rescue led to sizable donations.

To start the new year, MCSS community outreach manager Jason Jang said shelves at the food centre are full.

“It’s amazing how much we’ve gotten from the community,” Jang said.

The Christmas Bureau opened Nov. 21 with a $200,000 fundraising goal. Nissanov said the campaign raised close to 60 per cent of its goal.

“We set a big target but we got down to the wire donations,” Nissanov said.

Among the reasons for the large fundraising goal was its ability to sustain other programs like outreach throughout the year.

“Although that campaign is done … people can still give to our Food Centre. They can still give to our outreach throughout the year. The easiest way also is to set up a monthly donation. It’s automatic, and you don’t have to think about it,” Nissanov said.

The Christmas Bureau shared its location with the MCSS Food Centre this year and Gnyp said it was convenient for clients.

“They could get their toys and then immediately go next door. They didn’t have to make multiple trips, especially with families that don’t drive,” Gnyp said.

However, Nissanov said MCSS is already on the lookout for a location for next year.

“This came through in a pinch but it’s not going to be an option next year. So we’ll take the inquiries at any time in the year. And it’s the sooner the better, because then that also helps us plan out and map out the space and our needs and whatnot,” Nissanov said.