Hambleton campaign launched to help vulnerable people this Christmas
Hambleton FoodShare has started their ‘12 days of Christmas’ appeal.
Last updated 26th Nov 2021
As the festive season is fast approaching, Hambleton FoodShare is urging the local community to consider supporting their ‘12 days of Christmas’ appeal.
The appeal is designed to help provide a Christmas parcel for those who are struggling through no fault of their own.
It is hoped that people will add one item per day from a suggested list to a bag or box for 12 days.
Chairman Michael Webster said:
"We are running the appeal well before Christmas so that our volunteers have time to organise the parcels and deliver them in plenty of time for the big day.
"Christmas is a time for giving so why not help the most vulnerable members of our community. Unfortunately, the past 20 months has not been good for a lot of people and we are seeing more people coming for parcels who say they thought they would never be in such a desperate plight, that they had to rely upon a food bank.
"We would like to provide parcels containing normal shopping basics and cleaning materials plus a few Christmas treats so that hopefully the recipients will have a bit of spare money to buy a few Christmas presents or items for their Christmas dinner."
Michael says the community have been very generous so far, with some helpers showing a great deal of empathy over people's struggles.
He also adds that commercialism can place a lot of pressure on families who are worried about providing for loved ones:
"I remember one lady on Saturday afternoon brought us a bag of items that she had collected, and told us 'I know what it's like - I've been there'.
"It's very moving when someone responds in that way. In general over the pandemic we've been humbled by the generosity of local communities. At the beginning of the pandemic our stocks were as low as they've ever been, but fortunately they've helped up thanks to people's help - hopefully that'll continue over Christmas.
"All the television channels are carrying stuff saying 'buy this, buy that', and people can respond by thinking 'I'm failing', because they can't - for very good reason - buy the things that the adverts are saying.
"We will put in some vouchers for electricity so that people can use those, and hopefully free up a bit of their scarce money to make their own choices for Christmas - whether that's food or something for the children".
• To receive emergency food help customers must be able to demonstrate their need, primarily by being referred through an agency or by self-referral and covers the whole of Hambleton.
• The volunteer-led food store is available to help and can be accessed by ringing 07514244158 between 10:30am and 3:30pm Monday – Friday.
• There is also a drop in session every Monday between 4 and 6pm at The Living room, Garthway Arcade in Northallerton but only one customer is permitted at a time – please phone first to arrange a time to collect your parcel.
The 12 days of suggested Christmas items are:
Female deodorants, hot dogs, instant mash, sugar, UHT milk, washing powder, washing up liquid, shampoo, nappies size 2 – 4, jars of coffee; pot noodles, toilet rolls, Shower gel, individual porridge’s, jelly, individual sponge puddings and tinned: ham, carrots, corned beef, chicken in a white wine sauce and chicken pies.
Bags and boxes can be left:
• in Northallerton at:All Saints Church, all Co-Ops ,Crazy Kingdon, Lidl, Hambleton District Council, Sainsburys, Station Hotel, Tesco, Wilko, Willowbeck and Zetland Wine Store
• Bedale area: in Co-ops in Bedale and Leeming Bar, Spa shop at Aiskew Garage
• Springboard Business Centre in Stokelsey
• The Cowtons Post Office
For further information, visit www.hambletonfoodshare.org.uk