Cambridge foodbank launches Christmas hamper appeal to support families in need

Cambridge City Foodbank has launched its annual Christmas Hamper Appeal for the 10th year in a row. The charity sees a surge in demand each December and aims to support those in Cambridge struggling with higher costs over the winter.

CambridgeshireLive is supporting the Foodbank in a winter campaign to help make Christmas brighter. Every week, we will be highlighting simple ways you can help the organisation during the winter. Of course, the Foodbank supports the community all year round so many of the Foodbank's needs and requests will not end after Christmas. You can learn more about how to give here.

"The campaign is a way for us to go beyond our regular emergency food parcels and give support to those in Cambridge who are struggling to meet the rise in costs associated with winter and the Christmas period," Marleen Schepers, Cambridge City Foodbank Volunteer and Christmas Hamper Appeal Lead, said. "To highlight this, on average, we issue 36 per cent more food parcels in December than we do in October. Christmas is a difficult period for us at the best of times, but this year, we’re expecting it to be even busier.

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"To ensure that we support as many people in need as possible through our Hamper Appeal, we’ve partnered with Cambridge City Council and Cambridge Sustainable Food. As in previous years, the City Council will provide toys to be issued alongside hampers, whereas Cambridge Sustainable Food will provide fresh fruit and vegetables. Each hamper we distribute provides families and individuals with a food parcel that has their needs in mind and helps to spread Christmas cheer and the spirit of giving."

Ms Schepers said: "This is where we need you, the Cambridge community, to support us. Every bit of help we offer those in need is dependent on your generosity and kindness." Cambridge City Foodbank said those wishing to support the Christmas Hamper Appeal could pledge a hamper and include the following items:

• Chocolate Christmas log or non-alcoholic Christmas cake;

• Children’s Christmas chocolate e.g. selection box;

• After dinner/adult chocolate (no alcohol-filled ones please);

• Fancy sweet biscuits;

• Pringles or similar;

• Cheesy/savoury biscuits or similar;

• Nuts (not with shells);

• Dried fruit (e.g. apricots, figs etc);

• Tinned ham;

• Tinned tuna/salmon;

• Sweet pickles/chutney;

• Jam;

• Shower gel, hand soap or shampoo.

Ms Schepers added: "Your support throughout the year has been the beating heart of the Foodbank, and we cannot thank you enough for your unwavering support. Every donation we receive, every bit of help we get, always goes towards supporting someone who really needs it.

"While our Christmas Hamper Appeal is a snapshot of the donations and kindness we receive, your ongoing generosity ensures that we can help families all year round. From everyone at the Foodbank, from our volunteers to our visitors, thank you for everything that you do."

The charity has also shared a list of the most needed items for the festive period. You can find out more here.