SHOPPING bags full of non-perishable items have filled the Hamilton Uniting Church as they collect donations to distribute as part of their Christmas Hamper Appeal.

The community has given generously so far, with goods ranging from cans, pasta, cereal, dry sweet biscuits, fruit juice, pantry staples, and much more.

Hamilton Uniting Church community officer, Carolyn Coate, said she was blown away with the generosity of the community.

“We’ve had huge amounts of food coming in from individuals and groups,” she said.

“There are breakfast bags, toiletry bags, pantry staples bags ... and Christmas goods - pavlova, tins of biscuits, puddings, cakes, mince pies.

“Both goods and money (have been donated) and it will all be divided up and given out in the couple of weeks before Christmas.

“There’s about 110 individuals, families, and couples in Hamilton and the district who will receive the hampers.”

 Ms Coate said organisations had also gotten on board to support the cause this year, with Woolworths donating bags of goods and hams, Your Regional Butcher donating sausages, King’s Bakery donating bread, and Sharp Airlines donating funds.

Local community groups have also participated in the appeal, including the VIEW Club, a local scrapbooking group, and some of the schools such as The Hamilton and Alexandra College.

This year has seen an increase in the number of shopping bags donated, with 200 bags organised and ready for distribution as of last week, compared to the 132 bags distributed last year.

Uniting Church Christmas Hamper collection coordinator, Robyn Agnew, said she always feels lucky to live in Hamilton at this time of year to witness the community spirit.

“I feel lucky to live in a community that is willing to contribute and give in a time when it’s needed,” she said.

“I think it is a huge community effort.”

Collection points have been set up at Woolworths, Coles, and Gen Health Hamilton where people can drop off their donated non-perishable products.

The Hamilton Uniting Church is accepting donations until Friday, December 16, with people encouraged to drop off goods at the Church between 10am-12.30pm Monday to Friday, or to one of the local collection points.

Toys will be distributed alongside the food hampers to relevant families, however, as the Hamilton Uniting Church has already received enough for this year, Ms Coate encouraged anyone wanting to donate toys to give them to the Salvation Army.