The Niagara Regional Native Centre is on a fundraising roll this holiday season — and hopes those in the area will extend the spirit of the giving season its way.

The centre is calling out to Niagara-on-the-Lake residents for food pantry donations and is accepting a long list of items.

“Stuff like pasta sauce, soup, crackers, condiments, canned fruit and vegetables, juice boxes and school snacks, things like instant oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup are great,” said Halley Irwin, the centre’s director of community engagement.

School snacks are quite high on the list since the centre serves several families with small children, Irwin said. 

“We have almost none right now,” she said.

Donations can be dropped off at the centre at 382 Airport Rd. on Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

The St. Catharines office is also accepting donations of essential winter items such as tents, thermal sleeping bags, blankets, tarps, coats of any size and Tim Horton’s gift cards at 140 Welland Ave. in St. Catharines. 

Drop-off times can be scheduled by calling or texting 905 658-5496.

The centre is also gearing up for its annual children’s Christmas party, set for Dec. 7.

Last Thursday, the community came together for a pasta dinner and toonie auction to raise money for the celebration. 

Every toonie went toward the party and more than $5,000 was raised by the close to 200 people in attendance, Irwin said. 

“It’s an annual Christmas party that we have hosted for decades, every child that attends we provide them with a wrapped gift.”

A full list of food pantry donations the Native Centre is accepting is available on its website, nrnc.ca.