Yuletide is ideal time for giving and sharing

HAMPER HAPPINESS: A typical Whangarei Salvation Army Christmas food parcel for a family of four or five. Presents are also provided for kids and adults.

Whangarei mother Robyn thinks Christmas would be less enjoyable for her family this year if it wasn't for the Salvation Army's Christmas food parcel service.

Robyn, who does not want her surname used, was one of about 140 people picking up Christmas food parcels from the Army's Aubrey St Family Centre this week.

The parcels have been distributed to the district's needy and provide enough food for a splendid Christmas Day meal, and also come with presents for any children and adults in the family.

"This is a real blessing for us," Robyn said. "We really wouldn't have had a Christmas if it wasn't for this. My mum recently passed away so this is a real help for us. Thank you so much."

Salvation Army co-ordinator Irene Crooks said the parcels were put together thanks to the generosity of the public and businesses who had donated food and goods towards the cause.

As well as the 140 food parcels handed out, 11 families chosen by the Salvation Army had been "adopted" by Whangarei District Council staff, with its departments each providing a family with a Christmas to remember.

The Family Centre was a hive of activity on Thursday and yesterday as the parcels were handed out.

The gratitude of those receiving help was palpable.

Ms Crooks said it gave the Salvation Army volunteer workers enormous pleasure to be able to help out poor and vulnerable families at Christmas and thanks all those who donated or gave their time to help.

"It can be an emotional time for all (giving out the food parcels), but it's just great. The generosity of people who make this happen is amazing and it never ceases to amaze me just how giving people are."

She said as well as the Christmas food parcels, the Salvation Army was also providing a Christmas Day lunch for between 120 and 150 people at its Family Centre.

There are still some spaces left for the Salvation Army Christmas lunch.

Anybody who wants to attend can contact Gary Codlin on 438 8335.