Hampers for Homeless

I love Christmas; the decorations, the food and music, spending time with my family and eating endless turkey sandwiches. Obviously, Christmas isn't like this for countless people worldwide and this year while making your Christmas shopping list why not add a few small treats for someone who's really struggling right now. Therese Cullen has set up a 'Hampers for the Homeless' initiative and would love for people to get involved. For years she made Christmas Hampers for friends, families and relatives, filled with edible treats and small gifts. This year, with the rising homeless crisis across Ireland, she wanted to do something different and came up with 'Hampers for the Homeless'. Her plan is to make hampers for the homeless in Ireland and hand deliver them this December. The hampers will contain edible treats like biscuit cake and truffles, a miniature Christmas tree and little treats like fluffy socks and nice toiletries. She will be making hampers specifically themed to suit men, women and children. To make these hampers really special would be very costly so Therese is reaching out for support. She is not asking for money as Christmas is a demanding time financially for everyone. Instead she is asking for anyone who would like to be involved to put something small aside to donate to the cause: something as simple as handcream, clothing or chocolate. All these small donations will add up to make Christmas a little brighter for those going through a truly challenging time. 

If you would like to help you can contact Therese on Facebook, Twitter or by emailing her at hampersforthehomeless@gmail.com. Additionally there will be some drop off points organised around Ireland, which can be found on the initiatives Facebook page and I will also keep them updated below. 

Drop of points

Carlow:  Sam McCauley Chemist, Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Barrack St, Carlow 

Dublin city centre: Reception of Dublin Fire Brigade HQ, 165-169 Townsend st, Dublin 2. Mon-Fri only between 9am and 5pm. For security reasons, the fire brigade cannot except items which are gift wrapped or in enclosed boxes where you can't see what is inside so please ensure that the items dropped in are easy to see what they are.

Dublin North: Hot Yoga Dublin Studios, Northern Cross, Malahide Road. Please visit website for opening times/schedule - reception is open 30 mins before and 30 mins after each class.

Make this a Christmas of giving and compassion in any small way that you can.