The countdown continues! 

Last minute presents to buy, food to prepare, and cards to send as we get stuck into that age old tradition of getting ready for Christmas.  With all this to do, it’s easy to forget that there are those for whom Christmas is not the ‘best time of the year’ but rather it’s the most dreaded time of the year.  Instead of joy and sharing, it’s a time when finances and tempers are stretched to the limit, when tensions run high and the season just seems like one long period of disappointment at home.

To help with this burden, for the past 4 years The Light at The Door Family Support Service has delivered food hampers to those families we have supported through the year.  From the humble beginnings of taking out just 2 hampers in our first year, this year we are delivered nearly 80 hampers across the district to families in need! Covering over 100 miles between a team of 20 volunteers and staff. (Almost the same distance as driving to London!)

And our aim is simple – to give them both very practical support with food supplies and to let them know that they matter and we care about them.

Why do we go to so much trouble?  Well this reaction from a mum of two who had just a couple of tins in the cupboard for Christmas says it all.  Through her tears and surprise she said “Thank you thank you thank you, I don’t know what to say.  So much food, no one has ever done this for me before, are you sure it’s for me? We will be able to have a good Christmas after all.”

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our supporters:

• Provident, employees will, yet again, give up sending each other cards in favour of making a donation to share.
• Stroud Sainsbury’s who are donating special carrier bags to package them in.  The bags have just been delivered and what a wonderful message is printed on them ‘Christmas is for sharing’.
• Stroud District Foodbank and Fareshares will provide fresh produce.

Neither would it be possible without the support of our fantastic team of volunteers.  Over twenty volunteers will be literally going that extra mile to deliver these hampers to spread some needed Christmas cheer around our district.  We want to say a massive ‘THANKYOU!’ to our incredible team of volunteers and supporters, who have made it all possible.

From everyone at The Door and to all our supporters, friends and those who we have supported; every blessing to you all and we hope and pray for a peaceful and hopeful Christmas this year and always.