Local co-operative colleagues are swapping the sleigh for a trolley this Christmas with a pile of goodies being donated to the local food bank.
Being delivered to Horndean and Clanfield Food Bank, the trolley full of goods from The Co-operative Food - Clanfield will be split between 50 families for Christmas hampers.
Food bank co-ordinator Helen Rogers said the local schools have helped them identify families with the most need this year on top of people they already support.
Helen said: "Last year was the first time we have done Christmas hampers - largely because there was such an outpouring of people that wanted to help because of COVID-19.
"We are quite a small food bank but it was very successful last year. People are amazingly generous and just want to help. It is incredibly heart warming."
Horndean and Clanfield Food Bank, which was first started by volunteers at Horndean Baptist Church over eight years ago, provides a short-term, free, emergency food supply for families in crisis.
Anyone who lives in Horndean or Clanfield and is in genuine need, can request a foodbank parcel by ringing 07914 504715.
Danny Stallard, who works at The Co-operative Food - Clanfield, said: "We are donating a trolley of goods as we saw a post on Facebook and thought why not, it's the least we can do.
"The store manager, Mark, and all of us in the team are proud that we will be making other people's Christmases that bit better when so many family are struggling this time of year. As a store we are proud to do what we can for our local community."
The last date for donations to the hampers is 14 December when volunteers will help split out the goods before they are delivered closer to Christmas Day.
Products needed include biscuits for cheese, tins of ham, mince pies, jelly, custard, tins of fruit cocktail, gravy, stuffing, pickles and hot chocolate.
If they have surplus donations, then the food bank works with PO9 Food Bank in Warren Park to help other families nearby.
The Southern Co-op store in White Dirt Lane also has a regular food bank collection point when people can make donations throughout the year.
To find out more about Southern Co-op's ‘Love Your Neighbourhood' programme, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/love-your-neighbourhood/.
Or for more information on Horndean and Clanfield Food Bank, visit www.facebook.com/HorndeanandClanfieldFoodbank/.
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