Australia is expected to spend around $9 billion this Christmas.
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While it’s a blow to the hip pocket, many simply can’t afford to fork out the extra dollars.
To help those in need this silly season, the Hub at Guyra started a Reverse Advent Giving project on Tuesday.
“We are encouraging people to donate food, toiletries, good used-toys and we’re going to pass it onto under privileged people,” Guyra Hub administration assistant Sonya Shipman told The Argus.
The initiative is running in conjunction with the local Family Support Service, who help families in the area that are doing it tough.
“I know Vinnies works in the same sort of way but we thought this could be our contribution,” Mrs Shipman said.
“This is the first year that we’ve done it.”
Mrs Shipman has been busy this week ringing around the region to get people on board.
“There’s not a lot of businesses in Guyra so it’s hard to ask people to donate,” she said.
“I’ve had some good responses from Inverell for toy donations and things like that.”
Mrs Shipman said while most items were welcome, there are a couple of prerequisites for food items.
“Obviously nothing that’s perishable, if it’s food it has to be canned, packaged or if it’s lollies they have to be pre-wrapped,” she said.
“Toys, books and anything for kids and adults … anything at all will be greatly appreciated.”
... Anything at all will be greatly appreciated.
- Sonya Shipman
The Christmas appeal commenced on Monday and will run for about a week.
“Probably at the end of next week we’ll wrap it up because it all has to be distributed and passed on to people before Christmas,” Mrs Shipman said.
Donations can be made into the empty box on the front verandah on each day the Hub is open until the end of next week.