Corned beef is top of the pops

8 December 2011

Would a tin of corned beef be what you most look forward to in your Christmas parcel?

Maybe not, but that’s the most popular item in the Downtown Community Ministry Christmas parcels, says DCM director Stephanie McIntyre.

Other items in the parcels – with an emphasis on providing nutritious food – are packaged meals, such as rice risotto, pasta snacks and tinned stew; chili beans and corn chips for making nachos; fruit salad; and a packet of onion soup and reduced cream – the ingredients for making the good old fashioned kiwi dip.

“We also put in some goodies like chocolates and Christmas mince pies, so that Christmas will be a bit special, not just another day,” says Stephanie.

“We could really do with a lot of nice toiletries, especially those suitable for men. Last year we were able to include gift packs of deodorants and body wash, and they were a great treat for people who have very little disposable income.”

This has been a tough year for foodbanks, and some agencies are no longer providing Christmas parcels, so DCM is already getting a lot of requests.

Just prior to Christmas, over 150 Christmas parcels will be given out to all service users including those who come into our foodbank, Stephanie explained. “We want to make Christmas special for people. Many are not in contact with their families and so Christmas can be a sad and lonely time.”

It’s not too late to donate a Christmas parcel food item – maybe starting with the tin of corned beef that you probably won’t buy for yourself, or anything else mentioned above. Donations can be dropped at DCM at Compassion House in Lukes Lane.

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