Community Supports

The barrier-free Christmas Connection makes finding Christmas support easier. With one confidential intake, individuals and families can learn about and apply for available programs—all in one place, without contacting multiple organizations or completing multiple forms.

Christmas supports may include:

• Christmas hampers and food support
• Community Christmas meals
• Help with gifts
• Free Santa photos and seasonal activities
• Supports for single parents
• Supports for military families
• Supports for seniors and older adults
• Other seasonal programs and resources

Our team will help you understand what’s available so you don’t miss a program or support you may be eligible for.

Who can apply

Christmas Connection is available to individuals and families living throughout Sturgeon County and participating communities, including Morinville, Legal, Gibbons, Bon Accord and CFB Edmonton.

How to apply

1. Contact us
Call 780-939-7839 or email fcss@morinville.ca.

2. Complete one confidential intake
An employee will contact you to complete a short intake and learn what supports may be helpful.

3. Explore available supports
We’ll provide information about the Christmas programs and resources you may be eligible for.

4. Apply in one place
We can help you register or apply for the programs you’re interested in.

5. Get the details
You’ll receive information about important dates, times, pickup details and next steps for the programs you’ve registered for.

Individuals and families in need of free clothing and/or household items can contact Morinville FCSS by email or call 780-939-7839 for support.

During the winter months, we want to ensure that all residents are safe. If you see an individual outside who is unresponsive or in distress, please call 911. If you see an individual who is not in distress but you are concerned that they may be living without adequate shelter, please request a welfare check by calling 780-939-7831. Our Peace Officers, in partnership with our FCSS staff, will do their best to check on the individual and provide resources as needed.

Keep Warm Morinville: Are you in need of proper winter wear for yourself or a family member? Our Keep Warm Morinville program provides warm winter clothing to people in need. To make pick up arrangements, please email or call Community Services at 780-939-7839.

If you would like to donate to this program, donations can be dropped off at Midstream Thrift Store, located at 9922 101 Street or Fusion Thrift Shoppe, located at 10120 100 Avenue.

Through a partnership with Sobeys Morinville and Midstream Support Society, once a month, individuals can access a $30 food basket containing four servings each of three different meats, vegetables, and fruits. Orders must be placed by the first Friday of each month with pick-up occurring on the 3rd Thursday of the month in one of the two following locations:

• Morinville Community Cultural Centre 3 to 6 p.m.
• Guthrie School 3 to 5 p.m.

To register, please visit RecDesk and enter Eat Well in the search bar. There are also free donated baskets available for those in need, to access one, please contact Morinville FCSS by email or call 780-939-7839. 

This program distributes pet food and supplies to low income or in crisis pet owners to ensure they can keep their companions healthy, safe and with their families. Donations are accepted at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre and the Morinville Vet Clinic during regular business hours. 

Items that are greatly appreciated for donations (new and unused):

• Dry and wet cat food
• Dry and wet dog food
• Cat litter

To access this program, please contact Morinville FCSS by email or call 780-939-7839. 

Morinville FCSS is here to help connect you with appropriate financial support as needed. Beyond the support offered by the Town of Morinville, FCSS can assist you in completing applications for provincial funding opportunities. Town of Morinville financial support includes:

• Morinville Emergency Fund: Providing residents access to emergency funding when other sources of funding have been exhausted, not accessible or not timely in nature. Other municipalities within the region have successfully provided this funding to their residents for emergent needs like rent, utilities, transportation, medical and food. Fill out an application form.
• Wellness & Recreation Access Program: Designed to support low-income individuals and families in Morinville to participate in the Town of Morinville's fitness, recreation and FCSS programming. 
• Community Grant and Support: Supporting innovation and addressing community needs which are in line with Council's vision for Morinville.

This local project provides residents access to basic hygiene and comfort items. Hampers are created with community donations and are given out to individuals being placed into local seniors and/or affordable housing units.

Donations for this program can be dropped off at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. Here are some items that are greatly appreciated for donations (new and unused please):

• Travel size shampoo, conditioner
• Travel size or regular size toothpaste
• Body wash and soap
• Toothbrushes
• Hair brushes and combs
• Hair elastics
• Razors and shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Lip balm
• Nail clippers
• Lotions and moisturizers
• Sun screen
• Wet wipes

Access to shower facilities is also available for those living without the necessary facilities. To access the Home with Dignity Hampers program, please contact Morinville FCSS by email or call 780-939-7839.

Support includes form completion, navigating government processes, information and referral, and 1:1 support by appointment. Expert referrals are available for services such as:

• Addiction & mental health
• Basic needs
• Children and family services
• Counseling and mental health services
• Disability & special needs
• Employment and income
• Emergency financial services
• Food security and meal delivery
• Housing
• Inclusive supports
• Income tax preparation & filing
• Indigenous supports
• Medical needs
• Newcomer supports
• Seniors services
• 2SLGBTQIA+ supports
• Veteran & military support
• Wills, power of attorney & personal directives

To book a consultation with our FCSS team, please contact Morinville FCSS by email or call 780-939-7839. 

Morinville FCSS is committed to bolstering our community through preventative social support programs and initiatives. From connecting residents with resources to facilitating workshops and programs that improve residents’ quality of life, our focus is on building capacity for a stronger and more resilient community.

If you need urgent assistance, please call the Distress Line at 780-482-4357 or 1-800-232-7288.

Providing menstrual hygiene products at no cost to anyone in need, hampers can be found in the washrooms at the Morinville Leisure Centre, Morinville Community Library, Higher Grounds, Fusion, Midstream, Hair and Holistics, or through Morinville FCSS. Individuals are invited to take up to one month’s supply. Donations for this program can be dropped off at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.