While some revel in the festive season, it can be a tough time for the community’s less fortunate.
Each year, Mandurah’s support services gather their resources to give the city’s most vulnerable people Christmas hampers.
Filled with toys, clothes and nonperishable food items, the hampers relieve the stress some families face during a time that usually brings joy to people’s lives.
For the crew at West Aus Crisis, the 2018 Christmas Hamper Appeal has been almost a year in the making.
West Aus Crisis executive officer Lynn Rodgers said the soaring cost-of-living had hit local families on the fringes this year.
“People are feeling the pinch more, with utilities and cost-of-living going up,” Ms Rodgers said.
“Everybody is probably feeling it – those on low incomes and on a benefit of some sort.
“Christmas is a special time of the year. You want to hope that everyone in the community has the opportunity to have a Christmas lunch, have a Christmas tree and a present under it for their kids.
“People get frantic at Christmas time.
“Everybody wants to make sure their child has a gift and isn’t waking up and there are no presents under the Christmas tree.”
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From reducing domestic violence to stealing, Ms Rodgers said providing the community’s most vulnerable people with Christmas hampers also had a positive effect on crime in the region.
“When families are under financial stress they start fighting. It’s just part of human nature,” she said.
“It cuts down on that side of it because they know they can put their names down for a Christmas hamper.”
“We don’t want people to spend their rent money on presents and then come see us because they don’t have enough money to pay rent then become homeless.”
In 2017, the appeal delivered 1150 hampers to those in need within the region.
People are feeling the pinch more with utilities and cost-of-living going up.
- West Aus Crisis executive officer Lynn Rodgers
“We haven’t stopped taking names yet. We approximate that there will be the same number as last year or 1200,” Mr Rodgers said.
Ms Rodgers said one simple way to make a difference was by placing a gift under the Kmart Wishing Tree.
“We’d like to encourage people to do it,” Ms Rodgers said.
“If people want to get involved they can either put a gift under the Kmart Wishing Tree or they can give a none perishable food item to us, St Vincent De Paul's or the Salvation Army.”
For more information visit the West Aus Crisis website or contact their office on 9582 9920.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul on Twitter via @caitlynrintoul.
