A RECORD number of meals were delivered for the Frome Big Christmas Get-Together, with 165 people receiving a food hamper on Christmas Day, delivered by volunteers.
Frome Big Christmas’ Rosie Oakley reports, “This year saw us plan another alternative Frome Big Christmas Get-Together event with Covid-19 continuing to affect our plans and ability to have a large in-person event. Instead, we delivered food hampers to the homes of residents living alone or struggling this Christmas in an attempt to combat the loneliness, financial stresses and isolation felt by many over the Christmas period.
“Our incredible delivery drivers were able to safely deliver a locally cooked meal and hamper of Christmas treats to each guest, with volunteers chatting and giving guests a bit of company where possible. We also ran a collection point from Trinity Church Hall on Christmas Day for guests for those who deliveries were not an option.
“These guests noted the big difference our hampers had made to their day with one guest noting, “This has made me really emotional, I wasn’t expecting all of this – I was just expecting a Christmas lunch. I didn’t think you would have got all these extras; the plant, the food and presents for my kids. It’s overwhelming how much thought and kindness has gone into doing this for all of us”.
“We worked closely with Active and In Touch, Fair Frome, the YMCA and several local organisations who helped us identify people who needed support this Christmas. This year we were able to provide a record number of meals with 165 people receiving a food hamper on Christmas Day delivered by our amazing delivery driver volunteers.
“We also had additional volunteers who worked before Christmas to help organise guest lists, volunteers and hampers as well as the amazing 28 volunteers who helped pack all the hampers on Christmas Eve.
“All the hampers contained a variety of donated food items, including a freshly made Christmas roast meal made by Events Horizon and a beautifully planted hyacinth from Pilea Plant shop and The Walled Garden in Mells. We also provided special hampers to fit a range of dietary requirements and worked with care organisations to make sure our hampers reflected the needs of our guests.
“This year we were able to partner with Fair Frome to help with the bucket collections and Christmas fundraising at the Christmas Light Switch On and the Frome Independent Market. We also received a grant from Somerset Community Foundation as well as kind donations from local businesses and many individuals.
“We want to thank everyone who so kindly donated to the Frome Big Christmas Get-Together this year, we wouldn’t have been able to reach more people than any other year during another challenging year with everyone’s generous donations – thank you all so much!
“We also want to thank all our fantastic corporate partners and local businesses both new and old who yet again helped make this year’s event possible. Supporting and celebrating local businesses is incredibly important to us and we are grateful for the local businesses continued support.
“Thanks to: Asda, Fair Frome, Events Horizon, Active and In Touch, The Frome Town Council, The Black Swan, Trinity Church Hall, Somerset Community Foundation, Pilea Plant Shop, Postscript, The Frome Times, Buckland Signs, the Walled Garden Nursery at Mells, Saputo, Forward Space and Black Inc Studios.
“This year’s event showed us how important it is to take time to focus on community friendship and how small acts of kindness can really change someone’s Christmas as one recipient perfectly noted, “A big thank you to all involved in the Frome Big Christmas, it is brilliant, perfect, means a lot to people and so beautifully done so thank you for all you all do”.
“The Frome Big Christmas Get-Together’s organisers would like to thank everyone involved in this year’s event for their incredible generosity – it has made a difference. We hope that readers will extend the goodwill into the New Year by volunteering or giving regular monthly donations to local charities who work throughout the year to support our fantastic town’s residents.”
