CHRISTMAS is coming and once again the Argus has teamed up with the King’s Church, Newport to help spread the seasonal cheer to hundreds of families across Gwent.

The King’s Church has launched its annual Jesus Cares campaign with the support of the Argus to provide food hampers to families can’t make ends meet.

Last year dozens of volunteers gave their time to label more than 60,000 food items and pack boxes to give out to groups who distribute the hampers to the needy with the aim to provide a minimum of 3,000 food hampers across the six areas of Gwent this year.

The Argus has got on board with the project again this year to try to 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.

Jesus Cares, funded 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.

But the project has grown and expanded its support to offer people items including personal hygiene and sanitary products, baby food, clothing and toys; with the aim of distributing around 200 toys to children in Gwent and beyond this Christmas.

Jesus cares co-ordinator Faye Edwards said: “Jesus Cares provides food and other essential provisions to those who can’t afford them.

“We work along with social services and schools to provide support to organisations so that they have access to supplies when they are working with people who are in need of food and clothing.

“We have now begun delivering our Christmas food hampers and aim to distribute a minimum of 3,000 hampers across the six areas of Gwent.

“Newport will get a minimum of 50 per cent of all the hampers, around 1,500.”

Jesus Cares along with the support of Argus readers managed to send out 2,500 hampers last year to those that need it. This year we want to try and send even more.

The hampers distributed are made up of non-perishable foods but we are looking for Christmas treats that will make each hamper extra special this year.

Mrs Edwards added: “We supply staple foods such as rice, pasta but we need more Christmas treats such as Christmas puddings and mince pies to make it more special to people.

“We delivered 3,000 hampers last year and we have found that this year the number of requests we have received for food has tripled because of problems such as bedroom tax which has left people really struggling to feed their families.

“We want to give as much as possible so we are also giving Christmas presents which we will gift wrap and give to nominated families and children.”

The King’s Church is also looking for any businesses and volunteers that may be able to donate goods for the appeal or help pack up the hampers on Wednesdays. Or you could encourage your workplace, school, office or factory to set aside a box for staff and pupils to bring in their donations.

In return, we plan to feature those who support us and carry updates in the run up to Christmas.

We are also looking for businesses who would like to donate items to get in touch.

If you would like to support our appeal, contact Sophie Brownson on 01633 777247 or email sophie.brownson@southwalesargus.co.uk or Paul Carey on 01633 777 221 or paul.carey@gwent-wales.co.uk for more details.