Christmas donations for those in need

Christmas 2016 has come and gone, leaving in its wake new toys, family holidays and happy memories. However, for many in our society who struggle to stock even essential pantry items, the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ possibly would have felt like just an extra burden to bear.

Treasurer for local charity organisation Tamatea Community Trust Mangawhai [TCTM] Isabel Hollis says poverty is here in Mangawhai.

“Before Christmas I sorted a food parcel for a solo parent with three small children who had no money to buy formula, nappies or food,” she says. “And I’ve even heard of people sleeping in their cars down at the Domain at night.”

In true Christmas spirit, the Mangawhai community reached out to those who were anticipating hardship through the recent festive season. TCTM gave out over 20 ‘Aroha baskets’ in the weeks leading up to the big day, food parcels packed with necessary cans and packages as well as a few festive treats.

TCTM Secretary Sue Poynter says the brightly coloured boxes were placed in a variety of Mangawhai shops including Fresh, Mangawhai Gas and the Four Squares, offering people a chance to support struggling members of the community by donating non-perishable food items.

“We asked for basic foods like flour, sugar, tea etc,” she says. “But then we topped up each basket with fresh fruit, vegetables and a chicken for Christmas dinner.”

Members of a local Christian organisation say they generally gift over 50 Christmas parcels every festive season to people in Mangawhai and surrounding areas.

“It is great when you can help someone that genuinely needs it,” a spokesperson says. “Or bring some joy to a family that has had a tough year.”

Referrals for the food parcels from both organisations were received from a variety of places including schools, social agencies and local police.

Mangawhai’s social media was also a popular place for people to extend the meaning of Christmas to others. Mangawhai’s Helping Hands Facebook page founder Suzie Rogers says the site, based on the ‘pay it forward’ philosophy of kindness and the art of giving, showed a substantial increase in subscribers donating items over the festive period. Several users even designed special Christmas gifts for those in need.

“People showed they cared for others with expressions of love through good deeds and sharing what they had no matter how great or small,” she says. “It was really wonderful… showed the true spirit of Christmas.”

IN NEED: An ‘Aroha basket’, a Christmas gift of joy and relief for some in the Mangawhai community.