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Westminster Diocese: Christmas Hamper joy to 600 families


Palmer's Green Hampers

Palmer's Green Hampers

Source: Caritas Westminster

Six hundred families in Palmers Green, Enfield and beyond received a much-needed Christmas treat last month, from a project called 'Help for Hunger', based at St Monica's Catholic Church. Each family was given a large hamper of food, Christmas treats and gifts - all items they might not have been able to afford. The names of the families were given to project leader Rosie Hurndall by schools, food banks, women's refuges, social services and community centres.

One volunteer who delivered the hamper to a grateful lady commented "She burst into tears! She was overwhelmed with your generosity! Thank you so much I can't tell you the smile you put on her face". This is the third year running that Rosie, a mother of four, and her team of volunteers, put together these hampers and the numbers have grown year on year.

One of the teachers at Alma School, who have received hampers for some of their families, said: "Several members of staff have commented on your kindness and we know the families will be truly grateful too. One recipient told us last year, that they had not put their Christmas tree up as they did not have any gifts to put underneath it for their children. They said the hamper 'made' their Christmas."

Alongside Rosie's project, other members of St Monica's church, Gerry and Jackie Bell, are running a weekly food bank. This started as a temporary project during the first lockdown in April 2020, when food provided through schools by the Felix Project was redirected through churches. But as the extent of the local need became clear, the Palmers Green Food Bank now has a permanent presence, supporting around 300 people each week, thanks to financial support and advice from Caritas Westminster, the official charity of the Catholic Church in Westminster Diocese.

Palmers Green Food Bank is open each Monday from 2:30 to 5pm for anyone who needs a helping hand, situated at St Monica's Church, on the corner of Stonard Road and Green Lanes.

Both the Palmers Green Food Bank and 'Help for Hunger' rely on donations and volunteers. Before Christmas 2021, St Monica's Church Hall became a hive of activity for five days as a team of volunteers sorted, wrapped and packed the 600 hampers ready for delivery. Some local businesses even gave their staff the day off to help!

Rosie says "It's organised chaos but it works".

Rosie's inspiration for 'Help for Hunger' dates back to her own childhood when her father was ill with cancer and the family were struggling. She has never forgotten the joy when her mother received a hamper of food from work colleagues. More recently, she was motivated by a teacher friend who was fundraising for a family in financial difficulty. But Rosie has gone beyond supporting just a few families connected with local schools. Even in the first year she provided 68 hampers. Of the 600 hampers in 2021, 90 were given out by Gerry's Food Bank.

Rosie said: "I hear heart-breaking story after story from all the sources we provide the hampers to. I'm eternally grateful for the help given by the parish and community in supporting me doing this. Without support it would not happen. The feedback from the people who receive the hampers makes it all worthwhile and heart-warming, I just wish I could do more."

Rosie would like to thank the Vinci Group, RVoices choir, Tailor Made Living, and St Monica's school for their fundraising efforts, and all who donated or shared the Just Giving link on social media.


Links:

caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk

www.caritasvs.org.uk/

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