CHRISTMAS is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for some it’s a time of great hardship.
Uniting Care West has made an urgent callout for food hampers due to a spike in demand.
Uniting Care West place based manager South West metro Tara Reynders said it is hard to know why the demand had been so strong this year.
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READ NOW“We’re doing our best to prepare enough hampers to meet all the requests coming in, but we’re in danger of falling short,” she said.
“It just seems that people are struggling to make ends meet, particularly as we head towards Christmas.
“People have been contacting us as early as July to put their names down for Christmas hampers, including presents for their children.”
Donations can include pantry food, special Christmas items including long life milk, custard, Christmas puddings, tuna, rice, pasta and Christmas crackers are welcomed.
Ms Reynders said the donations would go to families and individuals in the Fremantle, Rockingham, Armadale and Peel regions.
“A sense of belonging is one of the greatest gifts we can give people and families caught in the cycle of entrenched poverty; to enable them to make a difference in their own lives and be a part of a caring community,” she said.
“The support of the community at this time of year allows us to reach out to people experiencing hardship, helping put food on tables, presents under trees and above all else, giving people a sense of belonging, hope and purpose.”
Food donations can be delivered to UnitingCare West, 10-12 Market Street Fremantle.