The Christmas spirit of giving begins

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4: The Lions Clubs are urging the community to get behind a food drive for families in need this Christmas.

It is estimated up to 600 food hampers will be needed this year for households struggling to survive in the current economic climate.

Last year 425 boxes were distributed. But as the recession continues to grip the island and job losses worse, demanding is growing, say the Lions Clubs.

Yesterday the clubs launched their Share the Christmas Spirit Campaign in partnership with The MarketPlace.

This is the 23rd year of the campaign, in which  shoppers are asked to donate a tin or box of non-perishable food to decorated boxes placed at The MarketPlace’s grocery stores.

Dessaline Waldron, campaign chairwoman, said: “This year it’s going to be rough because there are so many people out of work. We just know we’re going to be overwhelmed.

“Last year we did 425 hampers and I’m sure this year it will be quite a bit more because of the financial downturn. But we are ready to go.

“So far we’re in the process of decorating more than 500 boxes and I think we will need about 600.”

Ms Waldron said farmer Roger Pacheco of Pacheco’s Farm is to donate fresh vegetables to the hampers for the third year running.

She said the Lions Clubs of Bermuda have a list of families, compiled from members of the public who volunteer names and certain organizations on the island.

She added: “There’s one school which every year sends us a list of about 40 families. Children have to eat.”

People are encouraged to donate items ranging from tinned fruits to soups, stews, spaghetti, rice, creams, sugar, flour, cereals and even baby food.

The hampers are prepared through a community effort, with schoolchildren decorating the boxes.

They are filled according to how many people are in each family.

Ms Waldron said: “It may be a husband and wife with three children or a single parent with an infant, we fill them according to the numbers.”

She said the deadline for contributions was December 10, to enable the boxes to be filled and distributed in time for Christmas.

Schools across the island are also taking part, with students encouraged to each bring in a tin of food.

“We also have health clubs participating,” said Ms Waldron.

“The support we get from the general public is overwhelming. I even get people coming to my house to give me groceries and ask me what we need.

“Bermudians are the world’s largest givers.”

Donation boxes can be found in each MarketPlace store across the island. Anyone wanting to assist in the campaign can also help by calling the Lions Clubs of Bermuda at 238-0029.