4Cs volunteers Betty Trotter and Gwen Smith are gearing up for the festive season.
By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM’S food bank is asking residents to think of others this festive season with more than 100 families already signing up to receive one of its Christmas hampers.
4Cs (Cardinia Combined Churches and Caring) is now taking donations to help those who will struggle financially during the Christmas period.
Administration manager Sue Friend said the food bank provided 500 hampers last year and was well on the way to that figure with more than 100 registrations.
“To be at that level now is quite alarming, but it also shows us that the need is growing,” she said.
Mrs Friend said the service would meet the requests but needed community support.
“Coming up to Christmas here it gets really busy,” she said.
“It’s a happy time of year, but also a scary one.”
Mrs Friend said many families struggled to cope with the costs associated with the holiday period.
“It’s the added cost of school next year and the kids are at home and eating more and wanting to do activities which cost money,” she said.
Mrs Friend urged those who would need assistance to sign up for one of the service’s Christmas hampers.
“Anyone in the shire that thinks they’re going to be short can register,” she said.
4Cs is now taking donations for its Christmas drive and is after non-perishable goods, Christmas items such as bonbons and fruit mince pies, as well as toys, to ensure every child has a present to open.
Mrs Friend said even the simplest items made a huge difference to the lives of others.
“When I do my shop I may get an extra couple of spaghetti sauces,” she said.
“Even if people get something cheap and easy it’s really useful to us.”
Anyone wanting to donate to food or money to 4Cs or register for a Christmas hamper can call 5941 2268.
Monetary donations over $2 are tax deductible.
