Uncle Tom’s Hampers is a charity that provides Christmas hampers to families in need across Wicklow and Dublin. Inspired by Uncle Tom and his work with St. Vincent de Paul, the charity began with just two hampers and has grown over the years into a much-loved family tradition that pairs donor families with families being supported by SVP at Christmas time.
How Uncle Tom’s Hampers Began
Uncle Tom was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul for many years until he passed away in December 2014. Uncle Tom’s Hampers came about when founding member Shane O’Reilly attended some meetings at the Bray Conference with Tom, to get a better understanding of how St. Vincent de Paul works and how he could get involved too.
Coming up to Christmas, Tom suggested that Shane put together a hamper for a large family who were badly in need. Shane asked his mum to help him choose the goods to include. Between them they gathered enough for two hampers, which were given to two different families. The following year, with help from friends and family, they put together five hampers. And so it began.
What Uncle Tom’s Hampers Do
Uncle Tom’s Hampers works with SVP conferences across Wicklow and Dublin. Each year they’re given a list of families in need, and they match each one with a suitable volunteer donor family of a similar size and make-up.
Donor families are encouraged to include their own children in the shopping, preparation and delivery of the hamper, so that what arrives is thoughtful, age-appropriate, and a genuine part of Christmas for the family receiving it.
How You Can Get Involved
If you and your family would like to help a family in need this Christmas, visit the Uncle Tom’s Hampers Facebook page. Use the private message function to get in touch with the team and include your email address. Someone from the team will follow up with a few questions about your family, so they can match you with a suitable family to look after this Christmas.
All members of the donor family are encouraged to help with the shopping, preparation and delivery of the hamper, and you’ll be given guidance on what to include.
Donor families are typically invited to a collection event before Christmas, where hampers are dropped off and families get to meet one another over tea, coffee and mince pies. It’s a warm, family-friendly occasion, and a lovely way to introduce children to the idea of helping others at Christmas time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Uncle Tom’s Hampers?
Uncle Tom’s Hampers is a charity that puts together Christmas hampers for families in need, working closely with St. Vincent de Paul conferences in Wicklow and Dublin.
How did Uncle Tom’s Hampers start?
It began when founding member Shane O’Reilly, inspired by his uncle Tom’s work with St. Vincent de Paul, put together two hampers for a family in need one Christmas. The idea grew from there with help from friends and family.
How does the hamper matching work?
Each year, SVP conferences provide a list of families in need. Uncle Tom’s Hampers matches each family with a donor family of similar size, so the hamper can be tailored to suit them.
Can my family get involved?
Yes. Families who’d like to help are encouraged to message the Uncle Tom’s Hampers Facebook page to be matched with a family to support.
Do children get involved in putting the hampers together?
Yes, donor families are encouraged to involve their own children in shopping for, preparing and delivering the hamper, making it a meaningful family activity in the run-up to Christmas.
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Save This for Christmas
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