HAMPERS stuffed with toys, food staples and treats have been packed by volunteers at Aspleycare for 160 families in the lead-up to Christmas Day.
Aspleycare president Julie-Anne Mee said for many of the children in these families, the only Christmas gifts they received came out of the hampers.
“There’s about 80 families who are single-parents with up to eight kids,” she said.
“In a lot of cases, particularly single-parent families and migrant families, these are the only gifts they get.”
She said it was a lovely feeling to be able to share the gifts with the children.
The families in need come from across north Brisbane from the river up to Sandgate, and even into areas beyond Aspleycare’s normal reach like Redcliffe.
“It is interesting because in some of the areas that appear to be more affluent, there are some families in those communities that are really struggling – and they don’t know where to go,” she said.
She said she was glad Aspleycare could work in those communities and provide relief for the families.
Each hamper is assigned to a family with basic details about family members.
This meant donors could tailor a gift for a boy or girl of a certain age.
Ms Mee said she was glad to see so many of the gifts hitting the mark for the right age groups.
“People have really thought about that,” she said.
Ms Mee said there had been a groundswell of donations from the local St Dymphna school and parish community as well as the local businesses and organisations.
They received about $30,000 in cash and in-kind donations to fill the 200 hampers to the brim.
Donations came from Ray White Aspley Group, Bunnings Warehouse, Grand Prix Mazda Aspley, DLA Partners, Aspley Hornets, Woolworths, Rotary, Quota Sandgate, Pakko, Lions, WOTSO, Share the Dignity, Jacob’s Bakery and the Sisters of St Joseph.
Aspleycare is a parish-based organised group of volunteers who minister emergency relief to people on Brisbane’s northside.
