Bromley initiative Food + sent out 50 hampers and presents to families in need this Christmas

Food +, based in Beckenham, redistributes surplus food from local business to those in need within Bromley, but went one step further this year.

Piloting a Christmas project the group, in partnership with Bromley Children Project and other local organisations, delivered presents and Christmas hampers.

Collecting donations since November, Bromley families in need of a Christmas miracle were overwhelmed when the hampers arrived at their doorstep.

Every family with a child under 18 also received a personalised present, which were delivered by volunteer drivers.

Distributing the goodwill since December 13, their very last donation goes out today on Christmas Eve.

Peter Clyde, project director of Food +, said: "We had a team of around 30 volunteers sorting the hampers. We were giving all non-perishable things like Christmas decorations, Yule log, chutney, Christmas pudding, crackers.

"The hampers had about £130 worth of goodies in them."

They exceeded their target of 35 hampers to make 50, and gave out 100 toys with many donated by a City law firm.

Mr Clyde, 29, added: "We had the first names and ages of the children, so it was really personalised. One person had just had a baby, and someone handmade them a quilt.

"The reaction was incredible. People had a real sense of relief and gratitude. There was lots of hugging, and people were taken aback by the generosity."

A resident of Keston, Mr Clyde said they were hoping to continue next year, but aimed for around 100 or 150 hampers.

He added: "It’s the first time we’ve done this and the impact it's had has been great, and we want to grow that. We devised the hamper scheme over coffee in late September.

“Christmas is a hard time for some and we really wanted to help these people out.”

Food +, an initiative of Citygate Church in Beckenham, are always looking for more volunteers. To get involved visit: foodplusbromley.com