GENEROUS volunteers from across South Wales turned up at Newport’s King’s Church this week to pack hundreds of food hampers for the Jesus Cares campaign this Christmas.

The drive is backed by the Big Lottery Fund, started in 2009 as a result of community organisations contacting the Kings Church to ask for food for families they were working with, who had no money to feed their children.

The Argus has got on board with the project again this year to try and raise the profile of the work already carried out by the church, based at Lower Dock Street, Newport, and encourage as many readers and local businesses as possible to pitch in. Thousands of hampers have already been distributed to agencies across South Wales such as Teen Challenge, Solace, Gwent Probation, and Big Issue, who will disperse the hampers to clients in need; withThe aim is to deliver more 3,000 hampers to needy families. those in need across Gwent.

Every Wednesday night around 20 volunteers turn up to the Newport warehouse on Lower Dock Street, to pack hampers made up of essential staple foods such as cereals, pasta, and rice, but Jesus Cares is looking for Christmas treats that will make each hamper extra special this year.

So far 2,000 hampers, each worth between £20 and £25, have been delivered. and It is looking for more people or organisations to donate Christmas treats to make the hampers that extra bit special this festive period.

The Argus is asking generous readers to encourage people at their business, workplace, school, office or factory, to donate items such as; Christmas puddings, mince pies, chocolate, and biscuits, or any other food item that will keep throughout the festive period. In return, we plan to feature those who support us and carry updates in the run up to Christmas.

Faye Edwards of Jesus Cares said: “A team of people come every Wednesday night and pack boxes.

“We have a conveyor belt system so that everyone has one product that they put in a box and it moves along the line.

“We also have people labelling and box making to try and make the process as efficient as we can.

“Generally we have 20 people on a Wednesday and 12 people working on the production line and others doing the essential tasks getting them ready for Christmas.

“We have also just made 250 toiletry hampers to go to teenagers and we have had additional volunteers getting them ready and wrapping them.

“At each pack people are quite excited as they are getting together to make a difference.”

Mrs Edwards is really keen for any volunteers to come along and pack mid week in time for the final deliveries.

“We want to make up as much hampers as possible as we are trying to do the final deliveries the week commencing December 16. “

The food hampers will be delivered to various agencies across Newport next week, including Gwent Police, Serennu, and Gaer Community Centre.

So next time you are in the supermarket, pick up a few extra items for our appeal and pop them into the King’s Church office on 71 Lower Dock Street, Newport.

The church will be holding a packing and gift wrapping event on December 5 at 7.30pm. if you would like to turn up and volunteer Call 01633 244453 yo take part.

If you would like to support our appeal, contact Sophie Brownson on 01633 777247 or email sophie.brownson@southwalesargus.co.uk

Or contact Paul Carey on 01633 777 221 or paul.carey@gwent-wales.co.uk for more details.