At the Brookvale depot, Tamara Tyler is taking a break from moving hampers when she speaks to Manly Observer. Around her, volunteers help finalise donated Christmas hampers, boxes of non-perishable goods that will soon land on the doorsteps of Northern Beaches residents who won’t be gathering around a laden Christmas table this year.
She’s been doing this for four years now, and she knows what many people don’t: the festive season that brings joy to many brings crushing loneliness to others.
Tamara explains that this year’s One Meal Christmas Hamper Appeal relies heavily on community support. “Locals are encouraged to pick up an empty box from one of the many locations across the Northern Beaches, fill it at home with nonperishables, and return it to a drop off point near them, spreading Christmas cheer and bringing comfort to those doing it tough this festive season.’
“There are always people in need throughout the year who are looking for help with food or just support and assistance, but Christmas makes people feel a little bit more alone,” she says. “If we can have extra help for them, then it brightens up people’s days.”
Last year, One Meal Northern Beaches sent out 4,000 hampers from this Brookvale depot alone. This year, they’re aiming for 5,000 – a sobering indication that the struggle isn’t easing. The charity’s Hamper Appeal asks locals to fill boxes with groceries and “maybe something Christmassy for a little bit of joy,” as Tyler puts it, bridging the gap between those who have plenty and those going without.
How To Register
The easiest way to register for the Hamper Appeal is through One Meal’s website.
Here, you can register for as many hampers as you like, pick up the empty boxes from the Brookvale depot, and then bring them back unsealed and full of non-perishable items so the One Meal team can distribute them to those in need. Deliveries of hampers can be dropped off at any One Meal location around Sydney.
It doesn’t have to be individuals either; friendship groups, businesses, sports teams, or schools can also register to take part in the initiative. Even those who want to help but don’t do the grocery shopping, let alone know what to put in a hamper, can easily donate upwards of $50 for the One Meal team to fill one, or more, up.
A full packing list can be viewed on their website. Some items to consider include canned foods, small spread jars (such as Vegemite), pasta, rice, and Up & Gos. And if you’re feeling ‘Christmasy’, why not throw in things like books or magazines, decorations, or food gift vouchers – money and alcohol are excluded from hampers, so best to save those gifts for the in-laws and relatives.
Where To Go
Hampers can be picked-up and are then distributed to all parts of Sydney, including the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains. These meals go to One Meal partner organisations such as LocalKind, PCYC, Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter, Women & Children First, Link Housing, Burdekin Association, and many others.
But remember, this 2025 Hamper run, which gives you the opportunity to participate in the giving process, is only available until November 21. So, be sure register before then if you’d like to help make a difference.
And if you’re a Northern Beaches local, your easiest pick-up point is at the One Meal Brookvale depot.
12 Powells Road
(old Youth Reach building)
Brookvale, 2100
OPENING HOURS:
Monday & Weds 7am – 4.30pm
Tuesday & Thurs 7am – 3.00pm
Friday 11.00am – 2.00pm
For more information or to register, click here.
