Family's hampers spread Christmas cheer to homeless for fourth year

Friday 21 December 2018

Shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste... They're items we might take for granted, but ones a local restaurant owner is urging islanders to donate as her family make up their annual Christmas gift of hampers for the homeless.

The hampers are being put together by Joanna Gomes and her family and will be brought to the Shelter Trust on Christmas Day.

For Ms Gomes's family, the Christmas hampers have become a tradition as they have been collecting goods in the run up to the holidays for four years now. The family, who own Soy restaurant, used to donate food to the Shelter but Ms Gomes decided to do something to make Christmas just a little bit more festive for the homeless and came up with the idea of putting together hampers.

Pictured: This year, islanders are encouraged to donate toiletries to fill the hampers.

Every year, the family collects donations at the restaurant before getting together on Christmas Eve to pack the hampers. This year, in addition to the food donations, Ms Gomes has been asking for toiletries and personal items, to make the hamper more of a gift. "It's things like shower gels, deodorants," she explained. "It's to make it more of a treat and it gives the people something to open on Christmas Day."

Islanders have also donated chocolates as well as toys for the Shelter's residents who may be parents and unable to buy gifts for their children. "It's nothing big," Ms Gomes said. "It's just a little offering that can help make their day better." 

Pictured: Ms Gomes (second from left) spends Christmas Eve with her family putting the hampers together.

Donations can be dropped off at the restaurant today, tomorrow and on Christmas Eve. While putting the hampers together is a family affair, islanders are also invited to join in the fun at Soy between 15:00 and 18:00 on Christmas Eve. "We will have a bit of Prosecco and some mince pies," Ms Gomes promised.

"I also want to get the message across that parents should bring their children along to help them appreciate Christmas," Ms Gomes said, adding that her own son will be involved. At only 11 months, he will be the youngest recruit. "They can get involved in wrapping! I know some children have been saving their toys to donate, it's a lovely gesture."

Pictured: Last Christmas, two runs were necessary to deliver all the hampers.

On Christmas Day, Ms Gomes' family will be delivering the hampers to the Shelter. Last year, Stuart Campbell, Project Manager at Aztec House, said they were always greatly appreciated. "The hampers really help give a seasonal feel to the day and bring some normality to it," he told Express. "People love them. It is nice to be able to give them something."

Ms Gomes hopes to beat last year's total number of hampers. While she can't remember exactly how many there were, she says it was a record because, for the first time, the family had to make two trips to the shelter to deliver all the hampers.