Christmas Hamper Project
This Christmas One by One ran a hamper appeal. There were two projects ran simultaneously, one in Wath-Upon-Dearne, where Shake the Nations is based, and the other ran by a One by One volunteer in Basildon, Essex.
Through the help of Sure Start and local schools we were able to target the most needy families. We worked with single parent families, immigrant families and a family whose father had just been made redundant.
Each family received a hamper with over £80 worth of food and luxury items. With each hamper was a Christmas card containing details of a local church and an invitation to the Christmas carol service. Each family also received a copy of the New Life Newspaper, a publication including inspirational testimonies.
The generosity of the local church was overwhelming raising over £1500 in one day! Even the local branch of Morrison’s supermarket got involved donating food to add into each of the hampers.
In addition to the families One by One also targeted the elderly community and the homeless. In total over 200 lives were impacted by this outreach.
The response was incredible. Many were left bewildered asking why would anyone want to give them such a gift. We explained that God loved them very much and because of this the church wanted to reach out to them and give them an extraordinary Christmas.
Some of the residents came to the carol service as a result of the hampers and have asked if they can keep coming to church. We pray that they will soon come to accept Jesus as their Saviour. How amazing that one very small and simple act of love could lead these precious people to the greatest love of all.
If you would like to help with the 2009 hamper project then please send a cheque to Shake the Nations One by One and write “hamper project” on the back of the cheque. You can give one-off gifts towards the hampers or you can sponsor a whole hamper at £80.
Also if you would like to become a church representative and help fundraise the project from your local church then please contact Rebecca Murray by email or telephone and I would be happy to give you more information. For the contact details please see the contact tab on the left-hand side of this page.
