THIS YEAR’S Christmas Hamper Appeal run by local foodbanks will provide families with 200 hampers filled with food and seasonal cheer.

On December 23, a fleet of 70 drivers will deliver 200 hampers packed with enough for a family to eat and celebrate for three days.

The project is a partnership led by Citygate Church and Bournemouth Foodbank that brings together a network of local groups who care about families.

Over 64 local businesses, charities, statutory agencies and community groups have already registered their support for the project. In the lead up to Christmas, they will be nominating families, pledging food donations, recruiting volunteers and raising funds.

READ MORE: Teachers and hospital staff visiting food banks in BCP

Last year, a total of 70 partners teamed up to deliver 200 hampers feeding 714 people (327 adults and 387 children).

This was made possible by a large network of local groups.

Jan, a social prescriber for Help and Care, said: “It is collaborating together at times like this to help people who normally feel excluded and marginalised to come together as a family and feel ‘normal’ that makes our work so worthwhile.

“Without your generosity of spirit and the help of all the people who donated to your hamper appeal, the clients that I work with would not have had Christmas at all. This would have led to them feeling even more isolated and their mental health would have been impacted.

“I cannot thank you enough for the effort and time you put into this. The phone calls from happy clients brought tears to my eyes.”

Each hamper contains enough food and festive items to last a family for three days including a whole chicken, fresh vegetables, Christmas pudding, a Christmas card and a £10 toy voucher.

A family of 3 generations all with long term health conditions, said: “We were struggling because of benefits and bills and not being able to get out of the house to do the shopping. I’m a carer for my mum so life is tough. It made my Christmas when it arrived. It was huge.

“I was just expecting a few bits and bobs but it was Christmas all at once. I could feel my worries go away for a little while because I knew that we could be like everyone else and spend Christmas together having a proper Christmas with proper food.”

The Christmas Hamper Appeal has been a partnership between Citygate Church and Bournemouth Foodbank for six years. Groups or individuals can find how they can get involved here: https://citygate.church/hampers.