‘Tis the season to be jolly…’, but that may not be true for everyone this Christmas as the stresses and strains of life challenge many individuals and families.

Our region’s only one stop community support and connection centre, Community Networks, is working at the coalface to provide opportunities for our community to help make this a merry Christmas for all.

Every Christmas Community Networks provide support to local families and this year they are running a ‘support a local family’ campaign.

Individuals and businesses can support a local family by making a donation to the foodbank and/or by picking a donation amount from the Christmas trees at New World Three Parks checkout counters.

Community Networks says on average it costs ten dollars for toddler snacks for a week, $20 dollars for a meal or toiletries kit, $50 dollars for a Christmas dinner hamper and $100 for a standard food parcel for a week.

Donations to the foodbank can be made here.

Wānaka library is supporting the Community Networks foodbank with their ‘shelve your fines’ promotion. During December the library will waive overdue fines when overdue books are returned.

In return the library is suggesting a donation be made which will be passed on to the foodbank. Suggested items include; non-perishable food, Christmas treats, toiletries, gifts for adults, teens and children, and vouchers.

Ray White Wānaka thinks every child deserves to smile this Christmas with their ‘Little Ray of Giving’ promotion.

Ray White Wānaka is collecting gifts to go under their Christmas Tree up to Friday December 17.

You can help Ray White Wānaka by dropping off a gift (preferably unwrapped, at Community Networks’ request) to go under the tree at Ray White, 1 Helwick Street, and with the help of Community Networks gifts will be distributed the week prior to Christmas.

Food for Love is asking for cash donations in the lead up to Christmas. The money will be used to purchase meat and vegetables so volunteer cooks can provide a nutritious and delicious Christmas dinner for those who may otherwise miss out.

Food for Love is a group of mainly volunteers that provides home cooked meals to families and individuals who need a helping hand in the Wānaka and Hāwea areas.

Donations can be made at Food for Love Wānaka, bank account number 06 0943 0840857 00.

For more information see the Giving page in the Christmas section of your Wānaka App.

PHOTO: Wānaka App