Tins of food and other non-perishable goods are being collected to make special hampers for low income families, the elderly and people struggling financially this winter.

The Bridge Church hopes to collect as many tins, jars and packets as possible to make Christmas easier in many deserving homes this year.

Food can be dropped into The Bridge Church office at 2 Dalry Road in Kilwinning, Mondays to Fridays, between 10am and 3pm. The collection has already started and will keep going until Friday, December 11, when the hampers will be made up and distributed from Thursday, December 17, just in time for Christmas.

Every hamper will also contain a new bible.

Spearheading the initiative is church member David Campbell who said: “We really want to make a difference for people this Christmas with the hamper outreach. As a church we aim to be at the heart of the local community helping where ever we can." David is the first point of contact and can be reached through the church office on 01294 557 849.

Pastor Mark Fraser said: “We have been giving out hampers for years now and feel that it is a worthwhile thing to do in the run up to Christmas to show that people still care for others.

“The whole congregation is behind it helping in the collection and delivery of the hampers.

“At a time of financial uncertainty and instability even the smallest helping hand offered in friendship can make such a huge supporting difference.

“However, no matter how much the church does, we rely wholly on the generosity of the public to make these hampers happen. I am hoping that Christmas 2009 will be exceptional in terms of donations and the number of households we all can help.”