Pictured: Cllr Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People with staff at The Saplings Family Centre in Bletchley
Milton Keynes City Council has welcomed thousands of pounds worth of festive food, gifts and other support donated by local businesses, organisations, and communities to its 10 Family Centres.
City Council staff have used the donations to put together more than 700 individual hampers of essential food and Christmas treats such as selection boxes and toys for children and gifts for adults. These will be distributed to families in the run up to Christmas.
All Family Centres have put on festive displays, raffles and parties for their local communities. The Saplings Family Centre in Bletchley also provided craft activities for people to enjoy at a Christmas Fayre.
“Thanks to the generosity of local schools, businesses and community groups, we’ll be able to make a real difference for some families who are struggling. Our Family Centres work extremely hard to create wonderful festive experiences for children alongside the regular support they offer."
Baby Basics, The Salvation Army, Mollys Pantry, Perry Down, The Hygiene Bank, The MK Christian Centre, Church without Walls, Oakgrove Secondary School, Loughton School alongside numerous members of the community and City Council services have all contributed to the Christmas hampers and gifts.
Several Family Centres have also had ‘giving trees’ during December where members of the public can choose a gift tag and donate a gift for a family.
The help continues through the festive break. Milton Keynes City Council is funding a programme of FREE activity sessions and meals to give extra support to local families during the Christmas school holidays. The activity sessions are exclusively available to children, young people, and their families in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals.
Find details of local support and advice at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/cost-living-support