The Logan East Community Neighbourhood Centre (LECNA) will this Christmas distribute about 300 hampers offering vital relief to vulnerable families across the city.
For many, it will mean the difference between celebrating the holidays and not.
Centre manager Peta Duffy led the charge of packing the hamper baskets with the help of her team and the Springwood Tri Services RSL Sub Branch.
She said the hampers would go to people who have relied on the centre’s emergency relief services – including food and vouchers – as well as to clients identified by other local organisations.
“Every year we do 300 Christmas hampers and they go out to the community,” she said.
“It’s really just for anyone that’s doing it really tough in the community.”
Additional hampers are distributed through groups including Springwood high school, Fishers of Men, Multilink, domestic violence support services and more.
Each hamper includes essential household items — washing liquid, lollies, Christmas essentials and toys for children.
“Anyone that comes in and gets a Christmas hamper also gets toys for all their kids.”
She said the response from recipients was often overwhelming.
“A lot of people say to us that without these hampers they actually don’t do Christmas, particularly for their kids.
“A lot say they would have had to ‘cancel Christmas’.
“We’ve got lots of people that are actually in tears when they come in. They’re in tears when we call them to tell them that they are getting hampers. “
The annual program is organised in advance, with LECNA selecting recipients from the hundreds of people who seek assistance through the centre each year via ‘lucky dip’, as well as from partner organisations who refer families in crisis.
The hampers are sourced through a wide network of donors across Logan.
“Heaps of donations” come from partners including Bendigo Bank, the Springwood RSL, Foodbank, Planet Fitness, local childcare centres and even buying products from the major supermarkets.
“Lots of different organisations come on board,” Ms Duffy said.
Volunteers play a crucial role, with up to 50 people expected to help pack the hampers. “They get stuck in, they get it all done, and the tri-services do such a good job of keeping us organised,” she said.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit Logan households, Ms Duffy said the generosity shown each year remains a bright spot.
How can you get a hamper please 🙏 let me know