Vinnies NT spread holiday cheer, delivering 450 Christmas hampers across the Top End

Vinnies NT is preparing to deliver over 400 hampers with food staples and presents to families doing it tough across the Top End.

Vinnies NT is adding hope to the holidays this Christmas, delivering hundreds of hampers full of essentials, food and presents to families doing it tough across the Territory as part of their annual Christmas Hamper Project.

The charity is set to deliver 450 hampers from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands thanks to its new Vinnie’s Bush Mobile which will allow volunteers to reach more families living in remote communities.

St Mary’s Conference president and remote hamper co-ordinator Graeme Finch said he has seen first-hand how Territorian families were struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

“Of the 250,000 people living in the Territory, around 70,000 live outside the urban centre. The mission of our Remote Christmas Delivery is to ensure those who are struggling and living remotely can enjoy Christmas at home with their families,” he said.

“We have a purpose-built Bush Mobile Bus, which helped us deliver more than 50 hampers to the Daly River community and more than 90 hampers to the Tiwi Island community, filled with essential items, plus some Christmas presents and luxuries.”

St Paul’s Conference President Frances Abbott is one of many volunteers preparing hampers for families this Christmas. Picture: Talara McHugh

December is historically one of the charity’s busiest times with demand for support reaching a year-round high, said Vinnies NT CEO Rob Lutter.

“This year, we have supported more than 28,000 Territorians with everything from housing to meals, health services to financial support – all so we can embody the change we want to see in the community,” he said.

“This December in particular, we are seeing more people come to us for help and ensuring our Christmas hampers reach rural communities means more families can enjoy the holidays with dignity, joy and hope.”

Each hamper is caringly curated by Vinnies Volunteers who call families “in advance to get an idea of what they actually want – this means the hampers have even more of an impact, especially when it comes to kids getting a present they’d actually wish for,” said St Paul’s Conference president Frances Abbott.

“Times are really tough – people are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head, let alone put Christmas presents under the tree,” President Frances said.

“When we tell people about their hampers, you can hear the relief in their voice – many families didn’t know how they would cope with additional holiday costs, so it’s gratifying to know the hampers provide reassurance and allow them to enjoy the holidays.”