A charity in Bolton is helping families who are choosing between eating and buying presents this Christmas.
Homeless Aid is a charity which regularly supports rough sleepers, families and individuals who are struggling with food and bills in Bolton and Manchester.
As Christmas approaches, the charity is getting busier with rising costs of bills and food making families choose between eating and giving their children presents.
Billa Ahmed, who runs the group, said: “What we noticed is a lot of people are having to choose between buying gifts or eating and some people are in debt.
“This week we have been crazy busy for people coming in for food hampers.
“It’s been so manic with bills going up, so people are worrying about what to do.
“People want their kids to have a good Christmas, so they don’t notice what is going on.”
Charities like Homeless Aid are busy every Christmas and it is not just families without employment but working families who have been struggling since the cost-of-living crisis started.
Billa said: “People are struggling, and it is anyone it can happen to as we have people working as well as those on benefits who need help.
“There are people working paycheque to paycheque and when bills go higher, it will just get worse after Christmas.
“But we want people to know that we are here to support them.”
Some of the main things people are asking for help with from Homeless Aid is utility bills and food.
Homeless Aid is giving people food hampers full of fresh food, as well as pointing them to organisations to help with bills.
The charity has recently launched a Christmas toy appeal and have delivered presents all around Bolton to families who cannot afford to buy gifts for their children.
Billa added: “People are still ringing up and asking for help and now next week we are having a party for the elderly and dropping off food and gifts to them.
“When we give them the presents, some people are happy but sad because of the position they are in.
“Nobody wants to ask for help, but you see the smiles on the children’s faces when they know they will get a present.”
Billa also thanks all the people who have helped with the gifts and Surestore Storage for allowing use of their space.
Struggling families can ring 0800 124 4641 from 11am to 1pm for food hampers.
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