MUMS Supporting Families in Need (MSFIN) is calling on the community to help provide pantry staples to families experiencing hardship this Christmas.
MSFIN, a volunteer-powered charity based in Seaford, is inviting households, schools, workplaces and community groups to take part in its annual Reverse Advent Calendar.
Throughout November, instead of opening an advent calendar and receiving something each day, households add one grocery item from a supplied list of 30 to make up a full tub.
The completed hampers are then distributed through MSFIN’s network of welfare agencies to families who need them.
Vice President Claire Donohue said the charity has seen an increase in the number of hampers needed in recent years.
“Year on year, we are seeing the need increasing,” said Donohue.
“Now what we’re seeing is a real change in the demographic and it is your everyday mums and dads that potentially are working, but they just can’t make ends meet at the end of the week or the end of the month.”
MSFIN President Donna Cartwright said financial hardship can happen to families who never expected to need help.
“It’s dual-income families these days,” said Cartwright.
“Most people are one major car repair, or one injury away from not being able to pay for essential items they need. We like to think it can’t happen to us, but it absolutely can.”
Last year, around 1500 participants created 1900 hampers, however, demand for Christmas hampers typically reaches between 3000 and 4000.
The goal this year is to create 2200 hampers.
“Every parent wants to create that magic moment,” said Cartwright.
“Families will often use credit cards or take out payday loans so their kids have something from Santa. January is when we see the fallout.”
Donohue said the hampers aren’t your typical Christmas hampers.
“We’re not talking bottles of wine and all of these treats… this is generally pantry staples, and these will make a very big difference at this time of year,” said Donohue.
“Things that a lot of the time are expensive, and people find these extra little bits hard to actually maintain in their pantry.”
She said offering a little bit of Christmas cheer and relief at this time could change a parent’s or grandparents’ ability to provide for their family.
“So, by us rallying with the community to provide these little extras, hopefully, then those families can provide something special as well,” said Donohue.
MSFIN’s support extends throughout the year, helping families with everything from clothing and baby equipment to toiletries and other essentials.
MSFIN is also running a toy drive this Christmas, with anyone welcome to drop off a donation at the warehouse in Seaford by 18 December.
Donohue said they are always looking for volunteers to help with their gift-wrapping stations at Karingal Hub and Mornington Central.
The gift wrapping runs from 14 December until Christmas Eve at Mornington Central and from the 8 December until Christmas Eve at Karingal Hub.
People bring along their Christmas presents and volunteers wrap them.
“It’s a really joyous way of volunteering at this time of year to wrap Christmas presents because generally everyone is in a great frame of mind,” said Donohue.
You can find out more about the three programs and donate at: msfin.org.au/christmas.
Finished hampers can be dropped off at Frankston Football Club from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December, where they will be collected for distribution to local families.
First published in the Frankston Times – 10 November 2026