HAMILTON Uniting Church acknowledged their team of dedicated food distribution program volunteers at a morning tea early this month.

The program, which first began in 2011, is run by about ten volunteers who prepare and distribute 90 to 100 hampers three days a week to singles, couples and families struggling to make ends meet in Hamilton, Dunkeld, Casterton, Coleraine, and surrounds.

Hamilton Uniting Church pastoral community worker and program coordinator, Peter Roberts said the volunteer workforce was integral to the program.

"We have a lot of contributors, and we are really grateful … when you think of the number of people involved it's great," he said.

"There's a whole chain of people, a great network of volunteers."

Local supermarkets, cafes, and bakeries have also got behind the cause, making weekly donations of sandwiches, pies, meal packs, and fresh, frozen, and non-perishable foods to the program.

Food distribution program coordinator, Roger Thompson said Aldi and Woolworths had donated over 10 tonnes of food in the last 10 months.

"Aldi just give us everything off the shelves, we had a half leg of ham given to us last week - Aldi has a policy where they take stuff off the shelves on the due date, so if it is meat or milk, we might need to freeze it, but often we've just got enough to distribute," Mr Thompson said.

"It's a regular thing, they just put it in a trolley for us, and we go and pick it up," Mr Roberts said. 

Hamper recipients are often referred by outreach agencies, ensuring those most in need can access the necessities and don’t go without.

"They (the hampers) are often a timely delivery for stressed-out parents," Mr Roberts said.

"There's a hidden community of kind, thoughtful individuals … who still gave throughout the pandemic.

"People give from their home veggie gardens and donate homemade spreads.

As the festive season approaches, the number of families seeking out assistance in the form of food hampers is expected to increase.

"I just had three yesterday, just off the bat, so yes, it's definitely increasing," Mr Roberts said.

 "I think we will be seeing an increase (in people requiring assistance) once the government funding of organisations to buy food, once that runs out, I think people are going to become more dependent on services like ours," Mr Thompson said.

Food donations and Christmas gifts can be dropped off at Hamilton Uniting Church on Lonsdale Street.