This year the Storehouse will once again be collecting toys, gifts and nice nibbles for the Christmas Hamper appeal! Last year they delivered over 50 hampers to families across the Wigan & Leigh borough who otherwise wouldn’t have had much to celebrate Christmas with. This ranged from elderly people who had nobody to celebrate with, to families who didn’t have enough money to ensure their children had presents to open on Christmas Day. Paula*, an elderly lady who had just been discharged from hospital, was recovering from a bad accident and wasn’t looking forward to being alone. “I had never heard of your project before but you were like angels to me, and I have never forgotten you.”
The Storehouse provides everything from mince pies and Christmas pudding to toiletry gift sets and candles. Cara* was studying for her exams having been through a rough family time resulting in her being alone and having to work to support herself along with attending college, and was overwhelmed by the kindness of those who had donated study aids, chocolate and toiletries to her hamper which she received. Brett*, his wife and his three children received a hamper with toys, food to get them through the Christmas period and other little gifts. “We’ve been in financial difficulties ever since I injured my back at work and my wife had to cut her hours as well due to health issues. We have been so blessed by the Storehouse through food parcels and home visits, and now we have this hamper too – thank you to all those who donated for their kindness, it makes such a difference.”
Would you like to get involved this year? The Storehouse are looking for donations to the Christmas Hampers – they will start collecting from Monday 2nd November with the final deadline for donations being Friday 11th December. As these hampers are to bless those in need, we ask that anything donated is new or in nearly new condition, particularly toys. Donations can be dropped off at the Storehouse office, 31 Crank Road, Billinge, WN5 7DT.
Items the Storehouse were short on last year include men’s gift sets, boys and girls presents (10-15 years old) and socks/scarves. For a full list of what you can donate please visit the website www.storehouseproject.org or call the office on 07816623612.
If you would like to donate money you can do so, and we will use this to buy items for the hampers.
Thank you so much to all those who donated last year and we are confident that this year will be even bigger and better reaching more of those in need!
(*names changed to protect anonymity)
