12 Days of Christmas: Hampers of Hope bring magic to poor families

Hands of Hope members Rangi Carreira (left), Les Denton and Deidre Tai with Christmas care hampers for families in Mangere. Photo / Dean Purcell

This Christmas, the Herald is again featuring charities which have been selected to receive a $10,000 donation from Auckland Airport. The $120,000 that is beingdistributed came from change donated by travellers this year.

Christmas can be a sad and depressing time for some families, who cannot afford all the trimmings that come with the traditionally happy season.

So when a box packed with groceries and a few gifts for the kiddies arrives at your doorstep, it's magic.

Hands of Hope Community Services has been providing needy families with emergency food parcels and Christmas hampers for 11 years.

The non-profit organisation is made up of a group of volunteers who put together food and other items to help families referred to them by social welfare.

The trust is one of 12 charities to receive $10,000 from Auckland Airport, as part of its 12 Days of Christmas initiative.

This year, Hands of Hope will use the money to buy presents to go with 200 hampers.

Most will be distributed to homes in Mangere - where the trust is based - but 50 hampers will be taken to families in Kaitaia.

Trust administrator Deidre Tai, who has been with Hands of Hope for eight years, said it was very rewarding to be able to give to those in need, particularly at this time of the year.

"We make a positive difference in their lives," she said. "They are just overwhelmed, they can't believe it. A lot of them are in bad situations and are really struggling."

"They're crying and they hug us - that's what touches our hearts. The kids pick things up and say, 'Oh this is for me, this is mine'.

"It's very heart warming."

They aim to buy board games and activities so the whole family can enjoy the presents.

Mrs Tai thanked Auckland Airport for its 12 Days of Christmas project, acknowledging that it was money that would ultimately have a far reach within the community.

"This is the biggest donation we've ever received in the whole 11 years we have been together."