Mackay charities and churches need Christmas support to help vulnerable residents

Charities and churches are pleading for community support this festive season as the need for food, money, gifts and vouchers rise. Read how you can help this Christmas.

Christmas is not always a great time for people but many regional services are providing support this year. Picture: Rae Wilson

Increasing demand for food from those least expected to ask for it has been on the rise all year, says Neighbourhood Hub general manager Nicolette Ffrost.

The Hub is just one Mackay region support service working to make life easier for people in crisis over Christmas.

SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP MULTIPLE SERVICES BELOW

“Times are tough,” Ms Ffrost said.

“ There has been a decrease in volume of what we receive (donations) but some people may not have acknowledged that Christmas is just around the corner.”

The Hub is running its annual Christmas appeal.

It started on December 1 and will end next week.

Donations of vouchers for fuel, meat and non-perishable food items can be made at 4 George St, Mackay.

The organisation recently hosted a Christmas meal for 50 people with another this week attracting a similar response.

“This year, we asked people to register for hampers so we can deliver support to them,” Ms Ffrost said.

“The whole issue of food security is increasing.

“The number of people accessing food donations is increasing as we try and navigate other crisis such as rental insecurity, daily cost of living, increased interest rates and the ongoing pandemic.”

For more details, email [e-mail].

Brooklyn Jones (left) and Wasinee Hodder with some of the gifts collected by the Neighbourhood Hub in Mackay.

SHOEBOX APPEAL

Stella Maris Seafarers Centre volunteers are packing gifts for a helicopter drop to crews onboard bulk carriers anchored off Mackay, Hay Point, and Abbot Point.

The gifts are part of the annual Shoebox Appeal.

Each parcel contains items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razer, shampoo, socks, soap, biscuits, nail clippers and a gift like a beanie, quiz book or scarf.

Along with the schools, churches, port authorities, government departments and Southern Cross, Auriga Helicopters and local businesses will deliver 900 parcels for Christmas.

Helicopter trips are scheduled for December 22 and 23.

Stella Maris crews are packing packages for seafarers onboard bulk carriers this festive season. Picture: supplied.

STAR 101.9 AND MACKAY WOMEN’S SERVICES

Star 101.9 and Mackay Women’s Services are running a Christmas hamper drive.

It ends on Friday.

Residents are asked to drop off Christmas-themed items for teenagers aged 13 and over along with food, fuel and gift vouchers at the service’s centre at 418 Shakespeare St, Mackay.

A service spokeswoman said there would be a focus on vulnerable mothers this year and said items like boxes of chocolates would be appreciated.

For more information, phone Julie on 4953 1788 or email [e-mail]/

Goods donated to Mackay Women's Services for a previous Christmas appeal. Picture: Heidi Petith

ST PAUL’S UNITING

Making room for people who are homeless is the theme of the Christmas message from Reverend Dr Julia Pitman of St Paul’s Uniting Church.

“This Christmas, how can you make room in your life for people seeking accommodation in the Mackay region?,” Rev Dr Pitman asked.

She said Jesus was born in a manger due to a lack of accommodation in Bethlehem at the time.

“This year, people seeking work in the Mackay region are looking for accommodation,” Rev Dr Pitman said.

“Can you spare a room or a granny-flat out the back for people to come to Mackay to work?

“Can you advertise to take in a boarder?

“Like the innkeeper and the wise men, let us be adaptable and generous in helping to solve the shortage of housing in Mackay.”

The church will hold two Christmas Eve services, one at 6pm and the other 8pm, and a Christmas Day service at 8am.

On December 25, the church will host a children’s radio service with My 105.9FM from 7am and an adult radio service from 8am.

The church is also putting on Christmas Carols at Calen on December 23 from 5.30pm at 21 Macalister Street, Mackay.

For more information, phone [phone] or email [e-mail]

St Paul's Uniting Church will hold Christmas Carols on December 23. Picture: Duncan Evans

TRIPLE M TOY DRIVE

No child should wake up on Christmas Day without a present and you can help.

You can donate a new toy to the Triple M studios at Level 3, 123 Victoria St; the Salvation Army Hall, Gregory St; or the Mackay Regional Council Libraries in Mackay, Walkerson, Sarina and Mirani.

Gifts should arrive before December 15.

A Salvation Army store in Mackay.

MORANBAH CHURCH DINNER

The Moranbah Anglican Church will host its annual Christmas dinner on December 25 from 12noon.

Registrations are required for catering purposes, a spokesman for the church said.

The deadline is December 23.

“Last year, we had about 25 people and this year we’ve had about 30 register so far,” a spokesman said.

The church is at 5-7 St Francis Drive, Moranbah.

For more information, email [e-mail] or phone [phone].

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Vinnies is asking for your help as families struggle to survive increasing cost-of-living pressures.

They are asking for online cash donations.

Or you can donate clothing, accessories, homewares, manchester, toys, books, CDs, DVDs and furniture at 10 Macalister St (call 4953 4515) or at 2 Canberra St, North Mackay (call 4957 2929).

Kmart employee Steph Bird, Santa and Salvation Army Mackay welfare officer Amanda Greham during an earlier launch of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal. Photo Shakira Sellen / Daily Mercury

KMART WISHING TREE

With gifts in hand, you can head to the Wishing Tree Station at Kmart in Mount Pleasant Centre.

Fill out the gift tag sticker, ticking the correct age bracket, then attach it to your gift and place it in the gift giving boxes at the base of the Wishing Tree.

A Salvation Army representative will then collect the gifts from Kmart stores and oversee their distribution to those in need.

Gifts do not need to be purchased at Kmart and it is kindly asked that you do not wrap them.

The Appeal is unable to accept used or second-hand gifts.

Suggestions include gift cards, books, sporting equipment, back to school supplies, arts and crafts, headphones, educational toys, toiletries, musical instruments.

Anglicare Mackay Regional Director John Langford with community donations during an earlier Christmas appeal.

ANGLICARE CENTRAL QLD

The Adopt A Family Christmas Hamper Campaign in Mackay continues this year with food and gifts to brighten the lives of families facing hardships at Christmas time.

For more details, phone [phone] or visit anglicarenq.org.au