Christchurch families to receive a helping hand this Christmas

Published on 19th of December, 2016

150 families and 30 older people will receive Christmas hampers and gifts through the Christchurch Methodist Mission's Support a Family initiative.

Support a Family has been run annually by the Methodist Mission for over 10 years and provides Christmas Hampers for families and older people so they can enjoy Christmas without worrying about how they can afford to do so. The hampers are generously provided by individuals, families, businesses and churches. The Christchurch Methodist Mission will provide frozen chickens to go with the hampers and children in each family will receive a present.  

"Christmas is a stressful time for too many families throughout our community. They are struggling to provide the basics for themselves and their loved ones – let alone treats and gifts at Christmas" says Jill Hawkey, Executive Director of the Christchurch Methodist Mission. "This year Support a Family will provide a helping hand for families who are struggling and older people who are feeling isolated and alone".

The families and older people receiving hampers are clients that the Christchurch Methodist Mission has worked with throughout the year or are clients of other organisations. Because of the fantastic response from donors this year, the Christchurch Methodist Mission is able to provide hampers to older people being supported by Age Concern and the Wainoni Avonside Community Services Trust.

Along with the generosity of donors, Support a Family enjoys considerable support from businesses and volunteers. This year 5 staff members from Spark will volunteer at the hamper drop off day on Wednesday 21st December. Wooden toys that have been made by volunteers from the Santa Claus Workshop Charitable Trust have been donated and will be given to the children.