HAMPER APPEAL PARTNERS WITH LOCAL GROUPS
This Christmas, Citygate Church is partnering with Bournemouth Foodbank and dozens of other organisations to deliver 200 hampers filled with food and seasonal cheer to local families in crisis.
On Thursday 23rd December 2021, over 6 tonnes of goodies will be delivered to the door by a fleet of 70 drivers.
Over 32 local businesses, charities, statutory agencies and community groups have already registered their support for the project. In the lead up to Christmas, they will be nominating families, pledging food donations, recruiting drivers and sponsoring hampers.
The church wants to express their deepest thanks to all the organisations who have already registered as partners:
70x7 Music; ASDA Bournemouth; Avonbourne Academies; BCP Council; Bournemouth University; Bournemouth Foodbank; Britannia Leatherbarrows; Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole; Citygate Church; CMA Hampshire and Dorset Branch; County Foods; County Foods Ltd; Dorset Community Foundation; Dorset Health Care; Faithworks CMA; Foresters; J.P. Morgan; Joy Cafe; Lloyds Bank; LV=; Nurturing by Nature Ltd; Parent Carer Foundation; Rosebery Park Baptist Church; Rotary Club of Bournemouth East Cliff; Royal Bournemouth Hospital; Safe Families; Smyths Toys Bournemouth; St Saviour's' Church Iford; Students Union at Bournemouth University; Verwood Group; Winton Salvation Army & YMCA Bournemouth.
Last year, a total of 52 partners teamed up to deliver 200 hampers feeding 743 people (329 adults & 414 children).
Some agencies nominate families to receive the hampers like BCP social work teams, health visitors or other churches and charities who are working with these families all year round. For example, the charity Safe Families took particular care to make sure their families had a great Christmas.
Some partners pledge food to go in the hampers like local businesses and community groups. Their staff or members collect exactly what is needed. Bournemouth Foodbank are sharing their stock to help fill out the hampers.
Other groups help recruit volunteers to help deliver the hampers. Bournemouth University have supported the project from the beginning with placement students to help administer the project and staff who love to do the deliveries.
Some partners help raise the funds needed to overcome the logistical and administrative hurdles. Grants from Foresters Financial and the Designs For Humanity fund made it possible to include lots of Christmas luxuries and toy voucher in each hamper.
The project leader, Ed Briggs, said,
“The Christmas Hamper Appeal is a great way for all kinds of groups and individuals to get involved. You could be a small community group or a large business - we all work together as a team.
“This year, our Christmas theme is all about ‘Good News’. Together, we hope to BE good news for many families who have been struggling this year. If you’re onboard with that, please consider joining in.”
The Christmas Hamper Appeal has been a partnership between Citygate Church and Bournemouth Foodbank for five years. Groups or individuals can find how they can get involved here: https://citygate.church/hampers.
Originally released by Citygate Church here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J1M8rJRkJszb51VlujcYi9NwrIIVmsezBStLwJ2kfvk/
See Bournemouth Echo article here: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19726457.local-groups-partner-christmas-hamper-appeal/
