Exeter church distributes Christmas hampers to people struggling in the cost-of-living crisis

An Exeter church which is distributing over 700 Christmas food hampers, says it has been overwhelmed at the requests for help across the community.

Rediscover Church in Northernhay Street, Exeter, has run the hamper project every year for the last 8 years to help people who are struggling and in need, but this they’ve been inundated with requests for help, as people struggle to make ends meet, as the cost of a weekly food shop continues to increase.

The effects of the cost-of-living crisis seem to be having a significant impact on people’s lives, with some of the hamper recipients saying they are struggling to heat their homes alongside paying for food, including feeding children within family homes. This is leaving them in difficult situations with the prospect of Christmas being even more daunting this year.

As well as volunteers from the church packing hampers, many of them are being distributed by the congregation themselves, with deliveries across Exeter but also wider Devon.

The church have worked with local charities and organisations to identify recipients, who, when they have had a hamper delivered to their door, are often overwhelmed, with some even crying at the doorstep, as they felt so valued that someone was looking out for them this festive season.

The partner organisations the church have worked with this year include: YMCA Exeter, Julian House, Young Carers (across Devon), Home Start which is a charity supporting families, organisations working with refugees who have moved to the city, 7 Primary and Secondary Schools, requests from Housing Officers in Livewest Social Housing and Exeter City Council, and a charity called FearFree which supports victims of domestic violence.

The Christmas Hampers packed with food including pasta, rice, sauces, biscuits, Christmas chocolates, mince pies. beans, soup, and other items, are put together to support people through the festive season, and are designed for all cooking abilities.

Thanks to the generous donations of the church congregation itself, as well as local businesses including Ikea who supplied the hamper bags themselves, the hampers reach people, bringing joy and hope, at a time of the year when it came be so difficult for so many reasons.

The church has received many comments from recipients of hampers given out so far, with one messaging in to say, "This has really made our week and will so help the children and I. Things have been really tough and difficult recently and we are struggling to pay for food at the table. I never thought I’d be in this situation. We’re so very grateful"

Jason Ham, Operations Coordinator at the church, said: “This project has been made possible by the incredible effort of so many volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring smiles to loads of people’s faces at Christmas! This year we’re distributing so many, because simply there’s so much need out there, with organisations getting in touch with us to say can we help. We believe that our faith is something to be outworked in our community, and by practically supporting others we’re able to help others who might be struggling at this time of the year. We’re so grateful to the church for their generous donations, and for local businesses who have helped us make the project possible! If anyone would like us to support next year, do get in touch now so we can keep you updated.”

People can still donate towards the project which is impacting many thousands of lives across the area at www.rediscoverchurch.com/appeal