Hampers to help families in need over the holiday season

Hampers containing everything from Christmas dinner ingredients to books and gifts for children were handed out to  families across Leicestershire in the run up to the festive season.
 
Family support workers from Leicestershire County Council assembled and delivered 167 hampers which were funded by the government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
 
Each hamper contained festive fare along with staple foods, recipe cards, craft activity packs, toys and a book for each child. Items to promote outdoor activity, such as ball games, were also included.
 
The books had been donated to the county libraries and 414 were wrapped by staff and included in the hampers, which came as a welcome treat for families needing additional support.
 
One parent said: “Thank you so much, this will make such a difference for our family this Christmas, please thank the people who took the time to make the up the hampers.”
 
Another added: “Words cannot express both how my boys and I are feeling - thanks to you and the Trussell Trust we are now actually looking forward to what was going to be a very miserable Christmas for us. Thank you so much you have made us so happy with your generosity. Kindly extend our thanks to all!”
 
Councillor Deborah Taylor, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children and families, spent a morning in the North West Leicestershire district Children and Family Wellbeing Centre in Coalville with staff, helping to put the hampers together.

The council would like to extend a special thanks to the Reed Talent Solutions for also donating books and Syston-based Storafile LTD for donating wrapping paper.