CHRISTMAS is a special time of year for most people.
But for some families across our area, the festive season is a big struggle as the finances won’t stretch very far.
Flavia Trewin, a volunteer for the Jacobs Well Family Church in Bridgemary, delivers festive food hampers to people in need across Fareham and Gosport.
Now she is asking for members of the public to help with donations to give people a brighter Christmas.
Flavia said: ‘There have been a lot more referrals this year. We have been delivery emergency food parcels throughout the year.
‘The exciting thing about our work this year is we have linked up with other churches in the area.
‘We are working together to make sure that lots more people get hampers. We are thrilled about that.
‘It’s so important that people understand that they are being thought of and there are people who do care about them.
‘As soon as we hear of their plight we are there.’
Flavia added that people are incredibly grateful when they receive hampers.
‘We get lots of tears,’ she said. ‘We get invited in.
‘We often have a wonderful chat.
‘It’s important to form a relationship with them so we can be there for them throughout the year.
‘We want them to understand that there is friendship out there. We are there to support them in different ways.’
Now people are being asked to help by donating non-perishable items such as tins and packets of food, mince pies, crisps and Christmas puddings.
‘We would be grateful if anybody would like to donate any food to the project,’ added Flavia.
‘We have been helping out more families who have lost their jobs. Suddenly they go to work and the next day they haven’t got work any more.
‘It throws the family into turmoil.
‘They don’t know where to go. This is providing a lifeline for these families.
‘I find it hard to sit down to my Christmas dinner until I know that families that I know have been fed and that they have got something to offer their families.’
To donate, visit the church in Layton Road at 10.30am any day apart from Tuesday.
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