Covid restrictions haven't stopped the determined Kugluktuk Christmas Committee from raising funds, but they're currently in a position of having to do more with less.

Close to $35,000 has been pledged through the annual telethon and new online auctions. Although impressive, that is behind last year's exceptional pace of $42,000, and there are more people in need of help in 2020.

Food hampers were distributed to 175 households last year. This year, the committee has decided to help every household in the community SA国际影视传媒� approximately 450 of them SA国际影视传媒� with food hampers and hygiene kits, said Miranda Atatahak, one of the volunteers.

The nine committee members have been meeting online or by teleconference to make plans because face-to-face gatherings of that many people were prohibited during the recent two-week pandemic lockdown.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e had to change basically everything weSA国际影视传媒檝e done so far to work within the (public health) restrictions. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been a challenge but our group is resourceful and weSA国际影视传媒檝e been able to get our work done,SA国际影视传媒� said Atatahak.

The annual Christmas Gala SA国际影视传媒� a popular dinner and auction SA国际影视传媒� was scheduled for Nov. 21 as a scaled-down event for 60 people, but it was ultimately cancelled due to Nunavut's second lockdown.

All of the donated items for the gala were instead auctioned off online through the committee's Facebook page.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the first time weSA国际影视传媒檝e done online auctions and we werenSA国际影视传媒檛 sure how well we would do. Thankfully our social media community responded and our online auctions brought in roughly the same amount we would normally raise from a sit-down dinner and auction,SA国际影视传媒� Atatahak said.

The radio telethon was held in the community hall, but the usual crowd on hand to enjoy the music, games and other events was non-existent. Only five people could be in the room at a time so Atatahak looked after the hosting duties, Lashawna Taipana operated the radio and Saveah Ilgok, Akok Adjun and Doreen Evyagotailak answered the telephones and accepted donations via e-transfers.

Residents called in to join Atatahak live on radio SA国际影视传媒� some shared greetings and shared stories, some sang and others played instruments.

Meanwhile, volunteers Nadene McMenemy, Johnny Kootoo and Robin Ilgok SA国际影视传媒� wearing masks and gloves SA国际影视传媒� drove around town picking up cash donations that community members placed in sealed bags.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a very busy night being so short-handed, but it was fun,SA国际影视传媒� said Atatahak. SA国际影视传媒淭he spirit of Christmas and community was alive and well ... It was a really heartwarming event.SA国际影视传媒�

The Tahikyoak Heritage Fund and Canadian North are among the initiative's largest supporters.

The committee's holiday breakfast program is underway, although it too has been altered. Instead of groups of people stopping by for a drop-in breakfast, there's a pickup program offering a week's worth of cereal, milk, snack bars, yogurt and fruit for households. On Dec. 14, 178 breakfast packages were given away. More will be be available on Dec. 21 and 28.

Food hampers are scheduled to be delivered on Dec. 22.