By The Open Arms Team
During the week commencing 15 December 2025, as there was no Open Arms Sessions, the team volunteered to assist other local organisations within Rotherham, with the added pressures involved with the preparation of Christmas food hampers over the festive period:
Salvation Army, Quarry Street, Rawmarsh: Lee reached out to the Salvation Army offering help during the busy period, as they have been willing to provide food parcels in exceptional circumstances over the past year. As a gesture of goodwill, Lee wanted to return the favour. On Monday 15 December 2025, we met with Captain Sandra Chamberlain from the Salvation Army, to assist with the packing of Christmas hampers. Maria and Lee, alongside a few other volunteers, unpacked donations received throughout the day and packed up over 40 Christmas hampers which were being distributed locally to residents and families. We also assisted with the preparation of the next day hampers. Captain Sandra Chamberlain was really pleased with the support and help provided and said, “with Open Arms Team volunteering to help with the preparation of Christmas hampers, this made the task quicker, which allowed time for pick-ups to be arranged that day.” She also said, “With the Open Arms Team’s support during the festive season this had made her task less stressful than previous years”.
Rotherham Foodbank, Parkgate, Rotherham: Karen contacted Victoria the Foodbank offering help during the period. On Thursday 18 December 2025, we met Victoria at the Rotherham Foodbank to assist with preparation for food parcels. Maria, Lee and Karen assisted the volunteers with unpacking all the donations being made throughout the day and sorting these into crates. We stayed until all food had been sorted. This task made it easier for volunteers to then pack food hampers. Victoria, who runs the foodbank was thrilled with all the support and help the team at Open Arms Team had provided. She was amazed at how much quicker this task was carried out with this support.
Quote from facebook posted by Rotherham Foodbank
“Shout out to the wonderful Rotherfed staff who came to help out at Rotherham Foodbank!”
“They were amazing!”
Sunnyside Supplies: Karen contacted Tony at Sunnyside Supplies offering help during the period. On Friday 19 December 2025, we met with Tony at Sunnyside Supplies, to assist with preparing Christmas hampers. Together with the wonderful volunteers, we made over 50 Christmas hampers to be distributed locally to families and residents. Sunnyside supplies are such a brilliant community group that also runs a weekly community café where anyone can pop along to. There were numerous volunteers and together we made the task quicker and everyone was grateful for the assistance.
Following the support given by the Open Arms Team we were invited along to a buffet that Sunnyside Supplies were having on Tuesday 23 December 2025. Maria, Karen, Rachel (Rotherfed) and Sandra (Rotherfed) attended and received a warm welcome. The atmosphere was great and we were able to have a chat with some of the volunteers whilst having some refreshments. Photos were taken at both events and placed on social media where some comments were received such as “lovely seeing you all”, “awesome” and “thank you for all your help”.
