By A Current Affair
As most Aussies start to stress over our Christmas present shopping lists, spare a thought for those who won't get a gift this Christmas. It will be a reality for many Australians as the cost-of-living crisis spirals, so Reverend Bill Crews is doing his part to help spread the Christmas cheer. His foundation is gearing up for its busiest Christmas yet. Last year they handed out 5000 hampers. This year they've already packed 7000 and are still going.
"I've never seen so many people who last year were working, who this year aren't," Crews said.
He has devoted his life to helping others. A few years ago the foundation started to give out hampers at Christmas. Crews has seen it all in his decades helping those less fortunate in Sydney. But he says right now it's tough. The need from the public has quadrupled over the last few years.
"I feel sometimes we're giving hampers to half of New South Wales," Crews said. "Really the people who come here and request hampers, you've just got to look at them and you know, you just know, these are people who are battling. We're a great barometer for the state of the economy, and I've never seen it as bad as it is now."
"It's the saddest of sadnesses. This world today is pretty bleak. We call them the working poor. People come in, they're working all these part-time jobs and they just can't keep up. They're like running but getting further behind."
This year the foundation has called in the army to help too, to make sure the Christmas joy is spread far and wide.
"We have 2000 hampers going out to Peak Hill at the start of December," head of operations Aaron Cass said. The army has actually stepped in to help us to transport all of these out there which is a phenomenal win."
Corporate groups are among the volunteers packing the hampers.
"We were really pleased when we came today that they'll be reaching some of the Indigenous communities as well as anyone in Sydney that is needing that help," volunteer Amelia McAdam said.
On Christmas Day the foundation will also seat 3000 people for lunch.
People with nowhere else to go will be offered a warm meal and embrace.
However Crews shared a positive message amid the gloom.
"Let's try and lift ourselves above the misery going on and be a living example that love and compassion wins," he said.
