The not-for-profit organisation is providing Christmas hampers of gifts and food to Ballarat families. 

Community development manager for Western Victoria Geoff Ryan said Anglicare had a lot of help from local businesses and school groups unpacking the donations and packing the hampers. 

“We’ve had two volunteers that have worked for the whole year, one day a week, in preparation,” he said. 

“All the toy hampers are sorted, age and gender specific.”

Mr Ryan said he was astounded by the generosity of the Ballarat community and the amount of donations they had received. 

“So much food and toys have been coming through donations in the past week,” he said. 

He said Anglicare received $30,000 worth of donated toys and food, mostly from the 3BA Christmas Appeal. 

“The staff get so much joy when handing over hampers. They hear so many thank yous.”

He said at Christmas time, Anglicare usually  gives about 1100 hampers to families and individuals – with food and presents. 

“We are still taking orders for Christmas hampers from eligible families.”

Anglicare is open, today  between 10.30am and noon, Monday from 10.30am until 4.30pm and Christmas Eve from 10.30 till noon at their new address of 14 Victoria Street.

Mr Ryan said eligible recipients could come in and apply for a hamper and it would be ready for collection the next day. 

The centre will be closed on Friday, but applications for Christmas hampers can still be made at the Sebastopol Anglican Church.