AS THE cost-of-living crisis bites deeper this Christmas, a Basingstoke shopping centre is once again joining forces with a local foodbank to help deliver a little festive cheer to families in need.

For those facing a frugal or even empty table on Christmas Day, Festival Place is partnering with the Basingstoke Foodbank and Besom to deliver the Basingstoke Christmas Hamper Project.

Last year saw more than 800 Christmas hampers delivered across Basingstoke, bringing joy and relief to residents in desperate need.

Abigail Compton-Burnett from the foodbank said: “This year, we have received around 1,000 referrals from local agencies for individuals and families living in Basingstoke who are unable to buy Christmas treats without sacrificing staple food or heating. 

"We rely on donations to put together the Christmas hampers and it has wonderful to witness the generosity of local residents, schools, clubs, businesses and churches in their donations of food, hampers, money and time to assemble the hampers."

Festival Place centre director Neil Churchill said: “We are conscious of the harsh decisions many people in our community may be having to make this winter, and if we can help take at least some of the pressure off at Christmas, then we are only too pleased to help.

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“The Christmas Hamper Project delivers desperately needed festive cheer to those in need across Basingstoke, and we hope as many of our wonderful customers who can will be able to support this fantastic initiative once again.

“We are so grateful to all those who take the time to contribute food items and donate hampers – let’s all help make a difference where we can.”

People are invited to create their own festive hampers or bring items to the dedicated foodbank Christmas unit on the upper floor of the Basingstoke shopping centre.

To create your own Christmas hamper, cover a cardboard box with festive paper and fill it with all the things that make Christmas special. Alternatively, people can drop items at the dedicated unit within Festival Place.

Food items and hampers can be delivered to the Christmas Hamper site at Festival Place (on the upper level opposite the Customer Lounge) from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, to December 21.