The idea
With COVID-19 affecting the lives of many of us this year, it is likely that many people in the Mansfield district may not be able to enjoy a Christmas meal due to financial, mental and physical hardship, as well as due to restrictions on social gatherings.
That is why we are appealing for support from the public to help us to bring Christmas cheer to those who need it most.
Our aim is to raise money so that we can provide and distribute Christmas food hampers via our food clubs. Monetary donations will also go to support soup kitchens, homelessness charities and the Gift of Christmas group.
For those who donate £30 or more, a message will be displayed in a bauble on the town's Christmas tree for all the community to see. Leave a comment in the box below and your message could be selected and displayed.
Tell us why you're donating. Is it to give thanks for support? To pay tribute to a lost loved one? Or just want to help someone in need?
What we'll deliver
- Provide 200 Christmas food hampers
- Distribute hampers to individuals who need our help via food share clubs
- Bring Christmas cheer to those in need
- Feed families over the Christmas period
- Donate money to local soup kitchens and homelessness charities
- Donate money to the Gift of Christmas group to help them reach more families
Why it's a great idea
Those in need will be given all they require to put together a hot meal on Christmas Day including vegetables, condiments and trimmings. It will also include a money-off voucher for meat from a local butcher. Your donation will help us to subsidise the provision of fresh meat.
Plus charities that support the homeless in Mansfield will also benefit as they will receive donations to help them provide essential food via soup kitchens.
Steps to get it done
- Buying the food for the hampers
- Putting the food together
- Distributing hampers to the distribution points
- Sending monetary donations to charities and food banks
This runs as part of the "Bringing Christmas to Mansfield" campaign which also includes a Secret Santa Appeal from 9 November and online Festive Festival on 28 and 29 November via the council's Facebook page @MyMansfieldUK.
Visit the website to find out more about the whole campaign and see other ways you can get involved.
www.mansfield.gov.uk/christmas
