IN what has been a difficult year for so many, UCare Gawler are looking forward to spreading some cheer through their 2020 Christmas Hamper Appeal.
They hope to create around 350 hampers to give out to local families in need, and are putting the call out for donations of non-perishable food, cash or brand-new toys.
UCare Gawler’s support manager and financial counsellor Sheena Tapping said each year the hampers means so much to those receiving them.
“For some of our families who are struggling, Christmas is just an awful time for them,” she said.
“For those kids we want to make sure they’ve got something nice to open, and it just sort of adds to the joy also for mum, to be able to see your child open something on Christmas Day.”
Ms Tapping said this year they hope to expand their hamper program to include things specifically for teenagers, with some local businesses already on board to donate vouchers.
“Quite often teenagers are bearing the brunt of some of the financial burdens and the emotional side of things,” she said.
“We have always done toys up to age 12 and that has never really sat well with me, but it’s just about cost – we just couldn’t stretch that far.
“If people were able to buy vouchers (for teenagers) that would be a way it doesn’t get used for something else.”
Any donated toys are asked to be brand new, while treat-like food items also go a long way to make Christmas special.
“Non-perishables, so tins of ham, and tuna, tins of fruit, and thing like that are always really good; also, things like the Christmas pudding, the mince pies, lollies, chips and soft drinks,” Ms Tapping said.
“Cash donations are brilliant because that gives me the power to go and buy (food) from our suppliers and get it at the best cost, so we get more bang for our buck if we buy it through someone like Foodbank.”
Ms Tapping extended thanks to the community that has already gone above and beyond to help out during what has been an extremely hard year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some of the groups haven’t been able to raise money but have continued to support us, like Rotary and some of the church groups – they ring us every week and say ‘what do you need?’,” she said.
“So we are just really grateful because our government money would never have stretched that far.”
If you are able to contribute to the Christmas Hamper program donations can be made at UCare Gawler, 9.30am to 3pm, weekdays.
Financial donations can be done by direct deposit into the following bank account: BSB 805007, account no. 00706742, and quote an identifying reference.
Those who would like to receive a hamper, to be distributed the week before Christmas, can put their name down for one at UCare Gawler during their opening hours.