For over 30 years we have supplied Food Hampers at Christmas to disadvantaged families in the West of Scotland. We aim to supply between 200 and 240 such hampers each year.

By way of further background, Christmas 2023 presented us with a difficulty not previously encountered. Supply issues with supermarkets forced us to consider delivery methods other than physical hampers.

Some of the agencies we work with opted to receive cash to enable them to buy our hamper contents themselves, while others chose to receive vouchers, which we sourced through FarmFoods. FarmFoods was chosen as they do not allow their vouchers to be used to buy alcohol, tobacco or lottery tickets.

By this means, we were able to reach 222 families with much needed help at Christmas. These were supplied to families identified by agencies we have worked with for many years.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few quotes from what was said:-

“Families were overwhelmed with the hampers they received and spoke about the massive relief in relation to finances and how it was a big help to them.”

“I am absolutely delighted with the hamper, it done our full family over Christmas. Thanks honestly amazed”

“…families were delighted to receive the FarmFoods vouchers. One woman broke down in tears when we contacted her to advise of the food vouchers. She advised that she had barely any food in the cupboards and was dreading Christmas. The vouchers were used appropriately and many families feedback the positive impact on their family and their festive celebrations. Families were given support in relation to how the vouchers were spent. Two families required support to go and purchase the food”

In light of this overwhelmingly positive response and in anticipation of further supply issues, we have again opted to proceed as we did last year, offering either cash or vouchers to our agencies.

We intend to maintain the cost of our hamper at £75 and look to supply 200. The cost of this will be £15,000.