Over 2000 volunteers have spent the day packing festive food boxes for families this Christmas with the Christmas Box.
Each box is packed to the brim to help feed a family of four to six during a time of year when many can find it tough. However, the charity behind the boxes needs more support to reach the growing demand.
“We go up to someone’s front door and the parents are just, they’re just dumbfounded, they’re taken aback by the generosity of getting a Christmas Box,” said spokesperson Rebecca So’e.
So’e said last year they packed 32,005 boxes – this year, they’re hoping to do 35,000.
This weekend they’ll pack more than 29,000 boxes, but hope to raise a further $250,000 to sponsor a further 6250 to reach their target.
“Just knowing that there are gonna be families that actually have a special Christmas because of these boxes, it warms the heart,” said volunteer Joshua Young.
One volunteer was a past recipient of that generosity. Esha Nischol is volunteering this year after receiving a Christmas gift box as a child.
“When I was growing up we weren’t as fortunate, and we went through a lot. There was a time when all we had was some black tea and some crackers… so for multiple years, we got the Christmas Box.
“It was super exciting cause it looks like a present and as a child, like opening a gift when you have nothing is… it’s all you need. It’s a little bit of hope that you need.”
The charity behind the initiative says it needs more support to reach growing demand for their service. (Source: 1News)
Among the hundreds of volunteers helping the Christmas Box initiative are former All Blacks Eroni Clarke and Pita Alatini.
Clark said, “this is one wonderful way that we can give them a Christmas they can enjoy as a family”.
“The climate at the moment with financial hardship around the country, especially in our communities, this is just a great way to give back,” said Alatini.
Nischol said it’s the small things that make a difference.
“It’s things that we maybe take for granted, like sugar or a little pack of lollies
“As a child, especially, it makes you feel like you’re loved, and you’re special.”
Each $40 donation provides one Christmas Box containing more than $60 worth of food.