The Christmas hamper scheme has been helping local families for nearly two decades. Every year we work with families who are struggling with the extra burden of providing for themselves over the festive season. The hampers contain Christmas food items and treats: Christmas puddings, mince pies, selection boxes, boxes of chocolates, tinned ham and salmon, preserves, chocolate logs etc.

We also include Argos vouchers, one for each child in the family, which parents can use to buy toys and games. Usually The Butterfield Trust funds this scheme with donations of toys coming from our three church congregations of St John's, St James's and St Hugh's. This year we have been humbled by the response of local organisations and individuals who have donated food, vouchers and money.

Thanks go to Baildon Medical Practice, Baildon Library, Baildon Town Council, Baildon Belles and our church congregations who all collected and donated Christmas items which filled the hampers. We worked with Baildon Church School and Hoyle Court Primary to distribute the parcels to the right families and we also gave out parcels to families we know through the food bank at St Hugh's. In total we gave twelve hampers, helping 16 adults and 32 children.

This scheme was co-ordinated by our Community Development Worker who is this year funded by Baildon Town Council through their Community funding grant. This is just part of the work funded in this way this year. As always, anyone experiencing difficulties can contact the St Hugh's food bank for help – call Sarah Baxter on 07421 328187.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Sarah Baxter, St Hugh's Centre