TWENTY Southend schools have helped a homelessness charity provide hampers to hundreds of struggling families this Christmas.

Echo: Daniel and St Vincent’s volunteers with students from Westcliff High School for Boys.Daniel and St Vincent’s volunteers with students from Westcliff High School for Boys. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

The St Vincent’s Centre in Short Street, Southend, has been raising funds and donations as part of its “Be More than Kind” campaign. 

With the help of schoolchildren, more than 300 hampers were completed ahead of schedule.

Echo: Daniel with teachers from West Leigh Junior High School.Daniel with teachers from West Leigh Junior High School. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

The recent donation drive is linked with the charity’s Hungry Cupboard initiative. All food donated via the cupboards installed at schools across Southend goes directly to St Vincent’s Christmas hampers and its foodbank.

Echo: Daniel with pupils at St George's Catholic Primary School in Shoeburyness.Daniel with pupils at St George's Catholic Primary School in Shoeburyness. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

Centre manager Daniel Cauchi said: “This vital campaign really shows our community understands people’s needs and has stepped up to show its kindness. But Christmas is just the beginning. The Hungry Cupboard encourages families to give weekly, all-year-round.”

Echo: Centre director Nesper Maregedze with students at St Helen’s Catholic Primary School in Westcliff.Centre director Nesper Maregedze with students at St Helen’s Catholic Primary School in Westcliff. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

To promote the initiative, St Vincent’s volunteers have visited schools to talk about homelessness and food poverty.

Echo: Recovering drug user Matt Fright, 45, speaking to schoolchildren about his experiences and the importance of supporting the Hungry Cupboard.Recovering drug user Matt Fright, 45, speaking to schoolchildren about his experiences and the importance of supporting the Hungry Cupboard. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

“We explain why it’s so great for these guys to get involved and help those struggling in their community, who can then give something back,” Daniel said.

“We really like to get the young people involved.”

Echo: Staff and students from Queen Bee’s Day Nursery in South Benfleet.Staff and students from Queen Bee’s Day Nursery in South Benfleet. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

Schools have been encouraged to design their own Hungry Cupboards, as part of a Christmas competition. Tim Kay, CEO at Rochford printing supplier 3DFilaPrint, has donated £500 in Amazon vouchers for the winning school.

Echo: Daniel with students from Darlinghurst Academy in Leigh.Daniel with students from Darlinghurst Academy in Leigh. (Image: Daniel Cauchi)

Daniel added: “Tim has also given so much time to help our guests learn new skills to help them feel empowered, as well as donating £7,000 in 3D printing equipment to the centre. We’re so thankful to him.”