A community effort has seen North East homeless charity Oasis Community Housing deliver more Christmas dinners, food parcels and gifts than ever before across its crisis and supported housing services this festive period.
With households facing homelessness at an all-time high and an increasing number of people sleeping rough, Oasis Community Housing’s two drop-in centres alone have helped men and women who are sleeping rough more than 5,278 times this past year.
This week, over 60 people attended the homeless charity’s drop-in centres for a sit-down Christmas dinner with crackers and all the trimmings. Volunteers from local construction and law firms Meldrum Construction and Muckle LLP, and Kier and Sweeney Miller Law helped cook and serve the two-course meal in the Gateshead and Sunderland drop-ins, respectively.
In the run up to Christmas over 160 food boxes and packs will also be given out to people facing homelessness during early morning outreach or to those who live in Oasis Community Housing’s supported housing, thanks to Gateshead-based charity Feeding Families. The food boxes contain a range of items including ready meals, tinned vegetables, puddings and selection boxes, as well as a hand-written note for each recipient.
While a generous donation from the charity Social Bite will ensure additional warm food is available for those in need, who are supported by the charity this Christmas.
Sarah Lister, Oasis Community Housing’s Chief Executive, explains, “This year, we’ve seen increasing numbers of people coming through our doors. Tough economic times are pushing people to the brink and, for those already sleeping on the streets, our teams are always particularly concerned during the cold winter months.
“The men, women and young people who we support often refer to us as ‘family’ and coming together to share love and laughter – as well as opening doors to those in need – is what Christmas is all about. So, we’re hoping these festive meals and food parcels, in addition to our usual services, will help spread Christmas cheer and create some special memories.”
Other North East businesses and individuals including Gentoo Group, Muckle LLP and Robson Laidler have donated gifts to ensure the more than 1,300 people supported by the homeless charity will receive a personal present this Christmas, gift wrapped by Muckle LLP and Sweeney Miller Law.
To support your local homeless charity this Christmas, visit our Giving a Home Appeal website.