Local people will get festive gifts and essentials this year.
Thousands of pounds worth of donated food, gifts and other support for cash-strapped families has been collected at Milton Keynes City Council’s family centres.
Council staff have used the donations, given by local businesses, organisations and communities, to create more than 700 individual hampers of essential food and treats such as selection boxes, toys, and gifts for adults. They will be distributed to families in the run up to Christmas.
Baby Basics, The Salvation Army, Mollys Pantry, Perry Down, The Hygiene Bank, The MK Christian Centre, Church without Walls, Oakgrove Secondary School and Loughton School, alongside community members and City Council services have all contributed to the Christmas hampers and gifts.
The council’s family centres have organised festive displays, raffles and parties for their local communities. The Saplings Family Centre in Bletchley also provided craft activities for people to enjoy at a Christmas Fayre.
Several centres have also provided ‘giving trees’ during December where people can choose a gift tag and donate a gift for a family. The help will continue throughout the festive break.
“Thanks to the generosity of local schools, businesses and community groups, we’ll be able to make a real difference for some families who are struggling,” said Councillor Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
“Our family centres work extremely hard to create wonderful festive experiences for children alongside the regular support they offer."
The city council is funding a programme of free activity sessions and meals to give extra support to local families during the Christmas school holidays. The activity sessions are exclusively available to children, young people, and their families in receipt of benefit-related free school meals.
More details of local support and advice here: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/cost-living-support.
