Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
THE Northside Community Church in Pomona, Borrowdale has stepped up efforts to support vulnerable families in the church and the community at large to bring them some cheer during the festive season.
The church has asked members to bring in whatever they have or want to give for the “Christmas Food Hamper Drive”.
Church members agreed to contribute money so they can buy enough food for the initiative and so far they say they are happy with what they have managed to source as they can’t wait to start packing and distribution.
The Christmas Food Hamper Drive committee representative Mrs Nina Alabi said so far they have money to buy more than 200 food hampers with all the necessary basic goodies for families to have a good time on Christmas.
“The Northside Food Pantry has been going on for five years and in the last three years we have raised funds through our Christmas Food Hamper Drive to distribute food hampers to the elderly and those in need within Northside Community Church and the surrounding community.
“This year in celebrating our five years we wish to acknowledge and thank God for his unfailing provisions during some difficult times where we have been able to bless several families at Christmas. The Food Pantry team this year embarked on an exercise to raise funds for our annual Christmas Food Hamper Drive and through generous donations received we raised sufficient funds to enable us to purchase enough food items to pack over 200 food hampers filled with lots of goodies which will be distributed on the 17th December 2022,” said Mrs Alabi.
She said the Food Pantry team will be meeting on December 10 to pack the food items before distributing them to the intended beneficiaries.
“The Food Pantry team are really excited this year with the overwhelming response we received and are looking forward to meeting on December 10 to pack the food hampers and prepare for their distribution,” said Mrs Alabi.
She said they believe everyone deserves to enjoy themselves during the festive season hence the decision to do more this year.
“We believe that people in crisis in our community deserve to have a happy Christmas, which is why we want to distribute even more this year. There are many reasons why an individual might need some extra help at Christmas. However, there is no doubt that the festive season puts great pressure on individuals who are working with tight budgets or coping with health problems. For vulnerable families, the holiday season leads to tough decisions,” said Mrs Alabi.
