Feeding Families This Winter

Feeding Families This Winter Appeal

“You saved Christmas for us,” Gemima said as we handed over four gift-packed stockings for her kids and three large bags of food. She stared at the bags, hand over her mouth, before breaking into a smile, “Santa really came early for us this year!”

Gemima has been coming to Story Tellers with her daughter Katie this past term, and for her, like for so many families, the rising cost of living has turned the holiday season into a nightmare. Affording gifts, food and other essentials seemed impossible.

​​Last year, with the help of our supporters, we were able to give families like Gemima’s a Christmas hamper full of cupboard staples, fresh produce and festive treats, which meant they had food on the table over the holidays. This year we wanted to do more. We not only wanted to give them a hamper, but also give each of their children a stocking to open on Christmas day; a day which would otherwise be present-less for them.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, we raised a staggering £10,584.11 which has meant that we have been able to provide 170 of these hampers as well as 68 gift-filled stockings for children who would otherwise have gone without. 

Delivery Week

On the morning of Monday, December 16th, the team arrives early. Our usual meeting space has been transformed into a Santa’s workshop. 20 rolls of tape, 15 pairs of scissors and over 200 metres of wrapping paper are scattered across pop-up tables ready to wrap over 400 individual gifts and put them into 68 stockings. 

Helen keeps everything running smoothly in the storeroom downstairs, packing final deliveries of fresh food and ensuring every car is loaded and packed full with the right number of bags – each hamper is made up of 3 large bags!

By midmorning the first hamper and gift laden cars are heading out across Leeds.

Every family deserves to flourish

Over the course of Monday and Tuesday, our team drove a total of 250 miles across Leeds, delivering hampers and stockings directly to families at their homes. Every family we delivered to is known to us, and every stocking has been carefully chosen by our staff to make sure every child received gifts they will really enjoy.

“You’ve helped me so much, you have no idea,” said Natalie. David told us, “I’m blown away with it all. Thank you.”

This year’s Feeding Families Appeal wasn’t just about food and gifts – it was about providing some friendship and joy to families who deserve so much more than worry and fear. We are passionate about getting alongside families and supporting them in ways that really matter.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible, from our generous donors to our hardworking volunteers and supporters who helped us wrap, pack and deliver. You have enabled families to flourish this winter. 

To everyone involved – a huge thank you and Merry Christmas! We can’t wait to see what next year brings.