The Okotoks Food Bank is looking to make Christmas brighter for those in need this holiday season.

Registration for its Christmas hamper campaign opened Wednesday where hampers come with everything families need to enjoy Christmas dinner.

Sheila Hughes, executive director, says signing up is a simple process.

"Anybody who needs a Christmas food hamper this year can do in-person registration, so they come down to the food bank, they bring their I.D. with them, they don't need any outside agency to refer them to us, just if they need help we are here to provide a food hamper to them for Christmas."

Volunteers are always appreciated at the food bank to help assemble and hand out the hampers. Hampers will be assembled at the Okotoks Evangelical Free Church before they're handed out on Dec. 17. Anyone interested in volunteering can email or call the food bank at (403) 651-6629 or okotoksfoodbank@gmail.com.

Hughes says she's expecting to see an increase in demand for hampers this year.

"Last year we gave out 170 hampers, this year we expect more. We have a 40% increase just with our regular hamper program and the number of families and individuals we're helping so we do expect an increase, it's a lot tougher this year than last year."

Registration for Christmas hampers closes Dec. 3.