For Immediate Release: Wednesday 9th November 2005

The Life Centre Trust Aiming for Over 3,000 Christmas Hampers

The Life Centre Trust's annual Christmas Hamper project is into full swing, and is aiming to raise over 3,500 hampers for families in need around Auckland this Christmas.

The hampers project is in its 5th year, but with churches, local businesses and companies like Griffins getting on board, this will definitely be the biggest to date. In 2004 the TLC Trust raised over 730 hampers but Trust Manager Marshall Gray says this year there was a real need to step up the initiative to meet the need in our Auckland community.

“So many families are struggling to make ends meet and what should be a festive season has become one of financial pressure and burden”, says Mr Gray. “If we can make life better for as many of these families as possible over the Christmas season, then we have achieved our goal”.

The Christmas Hampers project will culminate in a massive hamper packing day on Saturday 10th December where a team of more than 100 volunteers will come together to pack the high quality hampers.

Each hamper consists of many staple foods as well as some extra Christmas goodies. The families that are provided with hampers include many The Life Centre Trust works with on an ongoing basis, as well as those from organisations such as Women's Refuge, domestic violence shelters, the Salvation Army and much more.

“Christmas is the season of giving, so if there are more companies and businesses willing to get on board with this project, we would love to hear from you”, says Mr Gray.

ENDS

About The Life Centre Trust.

The Life Centre Trust (TLC Trust) is an Auckland-based charitable trust that exists to provide support and empowerment to various groups in need within the New Zealand community.

The Life Centre Trust currently operates six key initiatives that cover a wide range of needs in the community.

These include providing support and exiting strategies for those in the prostitution industry (Streetreach), assisting new immigrants and refugees to New Zealand to assimilate into NZ society and become contributing and constructive members of the community (Kiwi Contax), and providing breakfasts for children in low-decile schools (Breakfast Club).

Additionally The Life Centre Trust provides high quality Christmas hampers to those in need at Christmas time and operates a full-time Counselling Centre.

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