The Salvation Army Okanagan Central has launched its Gifts of Hope program to help struggling families make the best of Christmas. 

At the Kelowna and West Kelowna locations, the Salvation Army has set up a toy shop where parents can shop free of charge for stocking stuffers and presents for their kids to open on Christmas morning. 

Captain Jennifer Henson said families who request assistance will have an appointment with a Christmas case worker to help understand what the family best needs.

Toys come from community donations, and the local branch is expecting to see about 1,000 families come shop for gifts. 

Although the Gifts of Hope program and the Kettle campaign are highlighted during the Christmas season, Henson said the Salvation Army is helping families year round. 

May Popham knows first hand the support of the Salvation Army after she and her husband both lost their well-paying jobs in just two weeks of each other. Having recently moved from South Africa, Popham said the couple didn't have much in savings and found themselves struggling to pay bills. 

"We were flying high one minute and down to rags the next," Popham said, noting that she was embarrassed to ask for help worried about being judged. 

"They listened to our story, we had a shoulder to cry on, and they assisted us in every respect."

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