Mary Mac's collects for Christmas hampers

A project is under way to collect non-perishable food items, cleaning items, toiletries, small gifts and other goods that will help those in need at Christmas.

Donated items will go towards stocking Christmas hampers distributed by Mary Mac's Place to those experiencing hardship and financial difficulty in the local community.

"Christmas time can often lead to additional hardship and financial strain for families and our Christmas hampers mean our people can re-prioritise their funds to other pressing bills like electricity and this lessens the burden of food and other expenses," said Mary Mac's Place director Ms Christine Burge.

"It also brings joy and brightens up Christmas time for these families and helps see them through our closure over Christmas," she said.

Last year over 260 people joined Mary Mac's Place for their annual Christmas lunch which food items donated at Deepwater Plaza also went towards.

"Our lunch brings people together and gives people a sense of a normal Christmas celebration," Ms Burge said.

Mary Mac's provide on average 80 plus hot meals to the needy, daily Monday to Friday, as well as essential services like washing, shower facilities and a vital link to services such as Legal Aid, housing and so on.

"Often members will visit purely for social inclusion as they live in isolation.

"Food donated during Deepwater Plaza's food drive also helps us stock our pantry for well into the New Year which means we can continue to provide this vital service.

"You can donate non-perishable food items, toiletries, small gifts and other goods from December 1 through to Christmas Eve at Deepwater Plaza, outside Coles Supermarket," Ms Burge said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 22 Nov 2017

Jodie Elkin, Deepwater Plaza