Leongatha Salvos Bags of Hope for Christmas

THIS year, Leongatha Salvo’s aim to fill 100 Bags of Hope to provide food hampers for local families who could use a little extra support this Christmas. 
They are calling on everyone who’s able to join them in this effort – schools, businesses, community groups, families, and individuals alike.
“The community is incredibly generous at Christmas and we’re looking for ways to be a bit strategic about that, to make sure that we're meeting the needs that the people actually have. So, the bags of hope is a way that the community can partner with us, or we can partner with the community to meet those needs,” said Amanda Hart, Corps Officer, South Coast Gippsland Salvos.
Bags of Hope can be filled with items such as mince pies, Christmas pudding, long life custard or cream, black tea and coffee, sugar, long life milk, rice, tinned fish, instant noodles, cereal, jam, peanut butter. 
To make a family’s Christmas extra special, other things can be added such as bonbons, or decorations, and Christmas treats like chocolates, lollies and biscuits.
“We're just continuing to see more need with the higher cost of living, or with the cost of living increasing,” said Amanda.
“Each week we're seeing people who have never come in for help before. We see more and more people coming in and needing to actually seek assistance when they never have before.”
“Whatever anyone can give a Christmas is a massive help to assist in the fulfilling the need and goes towards helping people have a better Christmas than they would have otherwise,” 
The Salvos will be distributing the Bags of Hope and other assistance as well as toys, for Christmas this year, and people can register to receive that assistance now.  
They simply need to go in to the Salvos Centre in Leongatha in Long Street on a Tuesday or Friday to register.  
Christmas Day Lunch will also be provided at the Salvos at midday (on Christmas day), with a roast and all the trimmings provided for free. 
“For those who don't have anywhere to go, or even people who want to bring their families along, it’s open to everyone,” explained Amanda.  
To take part in Bags of Hope and make someone Christmas special this year register online at: https://forms.office.com/r/ixeGrzdvcF. 
Bags can be dropped off to the Salvation Army, at 2 Long Street, Leongatha between Monday and Friday 9am to 5pm, before Wednesday December 11.