![Carevan elf (project officer Leanne Johnson) is getting ready to deliver hampers to those in need this Christmas. Picture: MARK JESSER Carevan elf (project officer Leanne Johnson) is getting ready to deliver hampers to those in need this Christmas. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/ec0b8f84-feee-4689-b794-26418334cb22.jpg/r0_0_5568_3712_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Housing pressures and living costs mean more families across the income brackets will receive hampers from The Carevan Foundation this year.
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With less than a fortnight to go until Christmas, volunteers are busy collecting donations from businesses.
It is Tracy Stuart's second year as 'elf', having started volunteering in 2019.
"Last year was pretty big too, but this year, it's more across the board," she said.
"We're hearing stories of families that aren't having Christmas because they're going to pay the mortgage instead."
About 20 volunteers will pack 200 hampers to deliver to schools and support agencies that have requested supplies.
Director Jacqui Partington said many families found they had less discretionary income.
"With the year we've had, I think everyone's looking for opportunities to support others, which has been really positive," she said.
"People are seeing more need firsthand, and there's probably more isolation.
"We're certainly seeing more people reaching out to us on an individual basis and the housing situation is also really difficult for people."
First National Real Estate Bonnici and Associates director William Bonnici, who supports Carevan, is seeing the housing gaps.
"We've certainly seen that demand increase so much over the last couple of years, and the pressure that's been put on these fantastic groups like Carevan," he said.
![DELIVERY: Carevan volunteer Tracy Stuart, director Jacqui Partington, First National Real Estate Bonnici and Associates director William Bonnici and Carevan's Leanne Johnson prepare hampers. Picture: MARK JESSER DELIVERY: Carevan volunteer Tracy Stuart, director Jacqui Partington, First National Real Estate Bonnici and Associates director William Bonnici and Carevan's Leanne Johnson prepare hampers. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/78f5666b-bd8f-4703-8b52-06f1b5c27386.jpg/r0_0_5568_3712_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We're trying to do everything we can to assist, and not just at Christmas time."
Carevan project officer Leanne Johnson said going into 2022, the foundation was seeking more businesses to provide financial support so more supplies could be purchased for a growing program in which schools cook meals.
"We were under the pump during the last outbreak, and we've done 7000 meals to date this year, which is nearly three times more than what we did in 2019," she said.
"I was in Melbourne about four weeks ago, and the Salvos rang and said, 'Everything's shut, can you get something to this person?'.
"I rang Pizza Heaven and asked if they could get a pizza to this person, and just like that, it was done. The community is amazing."
Ms Johnson said Carevan's hampers included special additions for Christmas like custard and bon bons.
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"The smiles you get when you hand them over is just amazing - you see that feeling of, 'Someone cares'," she said.
"When we hand it over, it's coming from the community - not Carevan.
"Carevan might be the link, but it's the community. We wouldn't be able to achieve it if not for them."