Christmas cheer will again be spread across Millicent with a record 300 hampers and an assortment of toys being distributed to the needy tomorrow after a fundraising target of $13,800 was reached.
The collection point is the former Millicent Netball Association clubrooms on North Terrace with the hampers being prepared over the past five days.
As in past years, cash contributions for the hampers came from various sources while local people have also given non-perishable goods, pet food and toys through collection boxes placed by the Millicent Lions Club in the local supermarkets, businesses and schools.
The appeal has been running for over 30 years and the KCA Millicent Mill has always been generous donors of tissue and paper products in that time.
Another source of income was the $550 collected at the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols recently presented by the Millicent Choral Society at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church.
The 2023 appeal is being run by the Millicent Christian Churches Association, with its chairman Pastor Shaun Mulick grateful for community support.
“We looked like being a few thousand away from our target but we received a grant from Wattle Range Council and another from the discretionary fund of Mayor Des Noll,” Pastor Shaun Mulick said.
“We collected some additional funds at the Millicent Community Fair and Carols on Saturday and they will be used to purchase food and uniform vouchers.
“The appeal purchased 300 hampers from Foodbank and they added an extra 16 at no charge.
“As well as helping families and individuals in need, hampers will also be given to the 12 homeless teenagers in Millicent who are currently couch-surfing.”
Pastor Shaun said the KCA tissue and paper products were arriving today along with 600kg of potatoes, 300kg of onions, 300kg of carrots and possibly some apples or other fruit.
“Thanks to the loan of some shopping trolleys from Fosters Foodland, we will have an assembly line tomorrow,” he said.
“Recipients will enter the old netball clubrooms with their trolley and pick up a hamper, KCA tissue products, some vegetables and either a toy or a treat.”
