But the volunteer board that operates Brampton's only soup kitchen will be doing something more in keeping with the Christmas season-preparing a wish list aimed at keeping all of its services in operation.

The Knights Table on Kennedy Road is caught in a financial crunch and is looking for more sustainable sources of funding and donations. The board is reaching out to residents and good corporate citizens, asking for help to continue paying the bills as demand for services continues to rise.

Regular funders are Canadian Tire's Foundation for Families and Bramalea Baptist Church, but that only covers about 30 per cent of costs, according to board of directors President Michael Higgins.

The rest, from month to month, is hit and miss, with donations coming in from individuals, local groups and businesses.

It is difficult to make plans without sustainable funding, Higgins said, and cost-cutting is always on the table. The organization, which serves three meals a day, might have to cut out the most important meal of the day- breakfast.

Meanwhile, the board of directors is in the process of creating a strategic plan to take it through the next three to five years. In it, they have identified a need to relocate closer to the downtown core.

"We need a location on a major bus route," said Higgins. "We're trying to find something that would be easier for our clientele to get to."

He said the charity isn't looking right downtown, but nearby, on Queen Street or on Kennedy Road close to Queen.

Higgins pointed out that the charity is a good tenant, which has, through Canadian Tire's Foundation for Families, upgraded the electrical system and ceiling tiles in the current building and painted.

Anyone with space to offer should call Higgins at 905-794-1819.

Donations can be made online at www.knightstable.ca, or corporate donors interested in offering ongoing funding can call Executive Director Annie Bino at the Knights Table, 905-454-8725, or call Higgins.

With 2 1/2 paid staff, the organization also relies heavily on volunteers, and volunteers are always needed.

Anyone interested can visit the Web site or call the Knights Table.