Hamper Scamper appeal ending on a high with record number of donations

A charity in Gloucestershire is celebrating after collecting a record amount of food and gifts for disadvantaged people living in poverty this Christmas.

The Hamper Scamper is organised by County Community Projects (CCP) in collaboration with CCP Foodshare which operate an emergency food bank service. CCP’s Hamper Scamper takes place during December and accepts donations of gifts and food items to distribute to children, families and vulnerable and disadvantaged adults and those living in poverty. Cordell Ray, chief executive for CCP, said: “2014 has seen unprecedented demand for food parcels from people living on the edge of poverty. Whilst Christmas may be enjoyable for most people, those living in poverty or disadvantage can find it a very stressful experience.

“The additional expense and expectation can put intolerable stress on people and families who already find it difficult to make ends meet. Hamper Scamper goes some way to alleviating the situation because, for a few days at least, they don’t have to worry about where the next meal is coming from.”

Preparations for this year’s appeal began in 2014 when donations started being collected and received; donations of food are being received from schools, churches, local businesses and members of the community.

Members of public have made donations via local supermarkets or directly to CCP, gifts for children have been donated by a number of local businesses. Each hamper is carefully packed by a team of volunteers from local businesses, including Lloyds bank, Endsleigh, UCAS and Zurich.

The value of each parcel ranges from £35 for a single hamper for a homeless person, £51 for a hamper for an older person and a family hamper has a total value of £75.

Hampers contain a selection of food, both essentials and seasonal treats, CCP has further plans to distribute up to 100 hand knitted blankets to homeless young people, children and older people who may be at risk of illness due to cold weather.

CCP this year has identified an increase in donations and need for hampers, seeing hamper numbers increase by more than 30 per cent from 384 in 2013 to 550 in 2014, the charity also recognises the need for parcels by families experiencing food poverty with the majority of parcels being distributed to families in need.

In the run up to Christmas, an office space in Cheltenham has been converted into the biggest food bank in Gloucestershire whilst a team of volunteers from 28 businesses package food and gifts and then distribute in the community.

Since the appeal began in November, thousands of food products have been donated, including more than 2,000 tins of baked beans, 1,600 cans of soup, 1,700 packets of biscuits, 700 boxes of tea and 1,800 boxes of mince pies. In addition to donations of food, 1,600 gifts for children under 16 have been donated by some of the biggest businesses in Gloucestershire.

Mr Ray added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to Hamper Scamper this year, whether they’ve donated food or gifts, or given up their time to help with the logistics of sorting, packing and distributing. It is your generosity, help and support that makes it all possible and helps the charity to bring a little cheer to people in need at Christmas.”

Parcels are delivered to people known to the CCP and living within Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, as well as clients of other local charities including the YMCA, the children’s unit and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and P3.