Save Our Homeless Christmas Hamper Appeal to help 500 families this season
Christmas will be brighter for around 500 families and individuals thanks to the Save Our Homeless Christmas hamper appeal.
The voluntary group headed by Sonja Van Kakeren has been delivering hampers throughout 2020, COVID-19 notwithstanding, and they are working hard to ensure that all those they support will be able to celebrate Christmas in this year like no other.
‘We are accepting donations of food and toys,’ says Sonja, who is delighted that people who wish to leave donations can do so in The Marshes Shopping Centre and Joe’s Deli, Castlebellingham, as well as News and Deli, Park Street.
‘ This will be a very difficult Christmas for a lot of people,’ says Sonja. ‘Last year we delivered 322 food hampers and we are hoping to give out at least 500 this year.’
‘Willie Dunne of The Marshes Social Club has donation points in sleighs in the shopping centre so that people can leave non-perishable food donations and toys,’ she says. ‘Joe’s Deli in Castlebellingham, who have given us great support during the year, have set up a box in their shop for donations of food, toys, and vouchers.’
Announcing their appeal on Facebook, Joe’s Deli said ‘ This year Christmas is just another expense that is beyond so many ,let’s make it magical,help us to help others, it really doesn’t matter what you drop off a tin of beans, a selection box,a toy or voucher, it will all go towards giving people and children a Christmas this year, making sure Santa doesn’t forget anyone.’
Sonja is very grateful to all those individuals and shops who continue to make donations of food on a regular basis so that they can continue with their work helping the homeless, those struggling to make ends meet, and the elderly.
They organisation has continued its work throughout the COVID0-19 pandemic, working within whatever restrictions are in force at the time.
They have helped needy families moving into new homes, providing them with furniture and other essentials, as well as delivering food hampers.‘Nothing has changed for us. We deliver hampers regularly. Our team just leaves them outside the door, knock and walk away, and people can then take them inside.’