Some People Need A Bit Of Help At Christmas

It is that time of year Christmas is coming a time for family and celebrations’ at the forefront of most of our minds as preparations build up but for some this is a time of dread. Please remember the thousands of families who will be dependent on emergency handouts from food banks and other charities with the run up to the Christmas period.

This Christmas I have forgone with an advent crown instead, I will be doing a reverse crown. Therefore, for 20 days from 1 December each day I will put something in a box to donate to the food bank the normal kind of everyday stuff and some Christmas treats. A number of food banks have already started and that is where my idea came from.

I am lucky as my local Tesco have a collection box for the local food bank and if you have a quick internet search, I am sure you will find somewhere local to you to drop off your donation. Tesco is not just for Christmas. They run food bank collections all year around.

Remember if you are food poor, you are likely to be suffering Fuel Poverty when people struggle to cover the costs of heating their homes; this issue is particularly serious in winter. However, it is an all year problem and I believe some food banks can help pointing people in the right direction for help.

In addition, it may cost a bit more but there are many families in this desperate situation with children with little to celebrate but the warmness of the family so why not put a smile on their young faces. In Cardiff’s St David’s Centre and I am sure country wide they are having Toy Appeal is running from 1st until 23rd December helping sick and disadvantaged children. Pick up an extra present while shopping for the toy appeal.

Who knows next Christmas it could be you or a family member who could have to rely on the support of a food bank or toy bank. It has been reported 80,000 people, including 30,000 children, will receive help from one of 500+ food banks over the festive period in one of the riches countries in the world, sad or what.

The homeless over the Christmas holiday period find help with many organisations pulling together in offering help and support but keep an eye out to see if they need support it could be voluntary help or donations. In and round Cardiff, some cafes, restaurants, are opening to help the homeless, hard up and the lonely.