Wakefield Christmas Hamper Appeal is back for 2024

So just as every year for the last 10 or so, Chantry Rotary Club has got together with CAP (Community Awareness Programme) with support from the Wakefield Express newspaper and website www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk to launch and run the Christmas Hamper Appeal.

Over the years and with the help of you, the Express readers, and numerous businesses around Wakefield and the Five Towns, we have been able to make and distribute in excess of 8,000 hampers to help families and children less fortunate than ourselves.

This year we aim to continue that trend and make, pack and distribute up to 700 hampers.

The distribution of these hampers is done in a number of ways: the majority go through the Children First organisation with some other hampers going via the Rotary Club to local schools and churches who have families in particular need.

So what can you do? Well, there a number of ways in which you can help. Firstly, by packing and donating finished hampers (using the contents list below).

If you are unable to make up a finished hamper, then making a cash donation to allow us to buy food would be really appreciated.

Any company or organisation that wants to get involved by making up finished hampers can liaise with CAP who can be reached on 01924 381119. Their address is 2-8 Market Street, Wakefield, WF1 1DH.

Alternatively food can be dropped off at the Redoubt pub at the bottom of Westgate in Wakefield.

We need to be all packed and ready to distribute at the start of the week commencing November 25. Realistically however we need the majority of the food and donations by early November so please – let’s all gear up and get going.

Donation will be coordinated by CAP in Market Street, where you can drop off finished hampers or donations of money to help us finance the significant cost of this exercise.

Finished hampers should include: tea, coffee, sugar, long life milk, breakfast cereal, tinned potatoes or instant mash, tinned vegetables, stuffing, tinned meat, pasta or rice, pasta in sauce, cup soups, gravy mix, tinned fruit, juice or squash, jams, biscuits, children’s Christmas sweets and a box of Christmas chocolates.

Please remember: do not include any alcohol, fresh, frozen or chilled foods.

If you want to include additional foods or Christmas novelties, please feel free.

Bob Guard, from Chantry Rotary Club, said: “That time is here again – it comes upon us very quickly, but the need is there year-round!

"The cooperation between Chantry, the Wakefield Express and CAP to organise the Christmas Hamper Appeal is as strong as ever and is needed more than ever.

"If we can bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of children who are not as fortunate as some then we have been very successful. Please help us to make the 2024 appeal another great success!”

Gemma Jimmison, from the Express, added: “Christmas should be a happy, joyous time for families, but the reality is that for many people it brings added worry and stress.