Support sought for Christmas hampers for homeless initiative

The public is being urged to donate “any bits and pieces” they can part with for a hampers for the homeless initiative being undertaken this Christmas.

Therese Cullen, from Co Tipperary, said she got the idea to “make a real difference to those with so little this Christmas” after years of putting Christmas hampers together for family and friends.

“They’re filled with edible treats and small gifts,” she said. “This year, with the rising homelessness crisis across Ireland, I thought I’d do something different.

“I’m going to make special hampers for the homeless across Ireland and hand-deliver them in December.”

Ms Cullen said the hampers would be decorated and are to contain edible treats such as biscuit cake, truffles, a miniature Christmas tree, and “some of life’s little luxuries such as fluffy socks and nice toiletries”.

The idea, she said, was that the hampers would be “special” for those receiving them and, as a result, she was seeking support because she could not “finance all of the hampers alone”.

“But I’m not looking for any monetary sponsorship as I know the pressures people are under to give to so many great causes and how frequent the requests are from across the community, especially at this time of year,” she said.

“Instead, what I’m asking for is anything you could put aside to help, from hand cream to chocolate. Any bits and pieces – items which you would be willing to put aside to help those who don’t have the luxury of indulging in those little pleasures we do – would be greatly appreciated.”

She added that “even a few small bits” would make “all the difference” to help fill the hampers.

People who wish to donate can do so by contacting Ms Cullen at hampersforthehomeless@gmail.com or through the initiative's Facebook page.

There will also be collection boxes in some shops around the country.