SPREADING joy through the community at Christmas time has been something the Logan East Community Centre has been doing for over 27 years.
But this year, with a lot of the community doing it tough, donations for community Christmas Hampers are running short.
Gillian Marshall from the Logan East Community Centre, which delivers 35 services and programs to the local community, is asking the Logan City community for help.
“This year, we hope to deliver 300 hampers to individuals and families who we have connected with throughout the year, who we know could do with some hope and joy at Christmas time,” Ms Marshall said.
“It’s been a tough year for many and as we see changes to JobSeeker payments and unemployment rise, we see many families in hardship.
“[The Logan East Community Centre] appreciates any support that can be offered by local schools, churches, sporting clubs, businesses and individuals to help us get all the items we need to provide excellent hampers that will make a big difference for people this Christmas.”
The much needed Christmas hampers have a range of goods going to needy families, however this year, the community centre is running short of a few items, from cake mix and cereal, to custard, gravy, and tinned tomatoes.
Christmas Hampers from 2019. Credit: LECNA
“We have a list of specific items we need more of to get to 300 of everything,” Ms Marshall said. “So, you can band together with your workmates or others to gather donations.
“For example, last year a kind local supplied us with 270 boxes of tissues, donated by their family. We accept other random non-perishable items or children’s toys if that is easier.”
Another way to get involved is to ‘Adopt a Family’, Ms Marshall said.
“[This is] where you are supplied with the ages and genders of kids and given basic info on a family, and you put together a generous hamper for that family from scratch.”
In terms of the Christmas hampers and who it supports, Ms Marshall said the community centre has developed a carefully monitored list to identify individuals and families who they feel would particularly benefit from a hamper this year.
“We also deliver some hampers to a couple of small local organisations who work with vulnerable families,” she said. “The cost of living is expensive [with] rent, bills, groceries, and registration.
“These hampers will allow a family to use the little income they might have in different ways at Christmas time as so many food items, clothes, and toys will be part of the hamper.”
Toy donations from 2019. Credit: LECNA
With Christmas fast approaching and items being gathered for the hampers, Ms Marshall said she is looking forward to wonderful experience of being at the community centre on delivery day for the hampers.
“There are tears of joy,” she said. “The excitement and relief on the mother’s face as she picks out toys she can give to her kids on Christmas day is priceless.
“We usually have a handbag area where ladies can pick out a handbag to take, which to them feels like quite a luxury item.
“People are very happy and very grateful for the support.”
To make a tax deductible donation to the online Christmas appeal click here, or for donations of non perishable food items call 3808 4529 to find out about the Wish List for the 300 Christmas Hamper Drive.
