HAMILTON Uniting Church is calling for people to donate non-perishable goods for those who need them the most, with locals able to donate up until Friday, December 22.

The church has been preparing Christmas hampers and giving out food to those in need for the past 10 years.

Uniting Church food distribution program coordinator, Carolyn Coate, said the hampers go out to their clients who receive food boxes each week, attendees at their Tuesday lunch, and those who present for emergency help at this time of year.

“The aim of the hampers is to provide extra food and festive treats to those who are less fortunate in our community, to make their Christmas more joyous – this includes families, individuals, and couples who find themselves at a disadvantage for a variety of reasons,” she said.

“This year, it is especially relevant with the soaring cost of living issues.”

Ms Coate said people can drop off their donations to the Uniting Church office between 10am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday, or shop at Woolworths and put their donations into the trolleys at the front of the store. Gen Health in Thompson Street also take donations.

“We have received some very substantial donations from individuals, including Tony who organises ‘Tins in the bin’ in Coleraine – he saw our plea on Facebook, and gave us a cash donation which was most gratefully received,” she said.

“These donations will allow us to provide at least 160 hampers, mostly in Hamilton, but also some to other areas of the community – until earlier this week donations were substantially less than in other years, but we put out the call, and the response for our community has been extraordinary.

“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has responded to our call for help – we rely on the community to assist us with our food distribution program, no time more than at Christmas, when we need extra food and treats to fill the Christmas hampers.

“Once again the Hamilton and District community has rallied to help us.”