Generous Milton Keynes community donates thousands of pounds worth of gifts to families in need
Thousands of pounds worth of festive supplies will be dished out to Milton Keynes families in need during the run up to Christmas.
Festive food, gifts and other support has been donated by local businesses, organisations, and communities to Milton Keynes’ 10 family centres. The City Council has welcomed these supplies for local families in need.
City Council staff have put together more than 800 hampers of essential food and Christmas treats from the donations, with selection boxes and toys for children and gifts for adults. These will be shared with families in the run up to Christmas.
All of the Family Centres have hosted festive displays, lunches, raffles and parties for their local communities. Several family centres have also had ‘giving trees’ during December, where members of the public could choose a gift tag and donate a present for a family.
Councillor Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “We’re very grateful for our generous donors who make sure families in need get extra support, especially during the winter months.
“These contributions make a real difference to families alongside the help offered by our family centres, who aside from managing these donations, go above and beyond to create wonderful festive experiences for local children.”
Contributors to the Christmas hampers and gifts include Loughton School, Baby Basics, The Salvation Army, Mollys Pantry, The Stables, The Hygiene Bank, Venture Church, Oakgrove Secondary School, MK DONS Community Trust, M&M Supplies, Citizens Advice Bureau, Faith Dimensions, Aspley Guise Golf Club, Foodbank, Caritas and local author Iain Row alongside numerous members of the community and the City Council itself.
Help is continuing throughout the festive break. A programme of free activity sessions and meals is being funded by the city council, to give extra support to local families during the Christmas school holidays. The activity sessions are available to children, young people, and their families who qualify for free school meals.
Details of local support and advice can be found at the Milton Keynes City Council support page. These include avenues for support with rent, council tax and essential costs including food and energy.