Demand for Christmas hampers for those in need at Millicent has more than doubled in the space of a decade.
The 2010 Millicent appeal supported 120 people in need of some help over the Christmas season and this number has soared to 300 this year.
Extra demand on welfare and support agencies has come from the likes of displaced teenagers who have to resort to couch surfing for accommodation.
Millicent’s Combined Churches have resumed the coordination of the Community Christmas Appeal in 2023 and they are looking to raise several thousand dollars to make Christmas a little brighter for families struggling to make ends meet.
The food hampers are valued at well over $100 and contain such items Christmas cake, biscuits, chips, tea, coffee and treats.
There are also age and gender appropriate presents for children.
As well as cash donations, donors can also give non-perishable goods and new toys through the collection bins placed in the three Millicent supermarkets and e-smart electrical by the local Lions Club.
Millicent Community Church senior pastor Shaun Mulik has taken on the role of appeal coordinator this year and was looking for the Millicent community to again be generous.
Pastor Shaun said local businesses and individuals generously donated $14,500 in cash a year ago and more was needed in 2023 to meet the demand.
He said the hampers were purchased through Foodbank but their number and contents were dependent on the amount of cash donated.
“Foodbank has been donated fruit and onions to pass on as well as a large amount of Lego construction toys,” Pastor Shaun said.
“For many years, we have received a large quantity of tissue products from the KCA Millicent Mill and we are grateful such donations will continue this year.
“Furthermore, the appeal has received a quantity of pet food from the Animal Rescue Cooperative for distribution this Christmas.
“We would love to add meat packs and school uniform vouchers to the hampers but this would depend on the amount of cash donated to the appeal.”
He said the hampers would be boosted by the donations placed in the collection bins.
Pastor Shaun said the appeal was casting a wide net in order to support vulnerable people in Millicent.
He said it was necessary to register for hampers and this could be done at support agencies as well as local schools and churches and the Millicent Business Community Association.
“In the past, if there were two or three vulnerable people or families living under the one roof, that household would only receive one household,” he said.
“Now we intend to give out multiple hampers for such situations.
“The cost-of-living is going up with expenses like the soaring power bills.”
As well as the Christmas Appeal, the local churches are combining again to present a Christmas Fair around the Millicent Rotunda on December 16.
There will be a visiting African dance group from Adelaide as well as stalls, a talent quest, singing of carols and a nativity play.
