“The joy of giving at Christmas”

Christmas is the season of goodwill, a time of celebrating and giving gifts. I love this. Yet, over the years as the commercialisation of Christmas has crept in, I worry we maybe losing the true concept of “goodwill and giving”. So I’m always delighted to discover people who truly give at this special time.  I’d like to share a little window in on several organisations who give in our community, not only at Christmas, but all year round. They are the Barcelona-based groups of “Esperança”, “San Egidio” and “The Salvation army”. All help the homeless or people affected by poverty.  

Esperança was formed a year ago by Julie Stephenson. Together with a group of friends,she decided to replicate a UK scheme to help homeless people. What began with going out and taking coffee, bocadillos and friendship to the streets, has grown organically into a thrice weekly food run, covering two routes. It is completely supported by generous donations of food and time given by volunteers. San Egidio originated in Rome in 1967 and now has spread to 70 countries across four continents. It is a faith-based organisation, run by lay people, whose key principle is to offer outreach to people in need: practical help, as well as love and friendship.  They also make food runs weekly in the centre of Barcelona. The Salvation Army is another Christian organisation which dedicates its time specifically to help the poor. Located in Gracia ,they  distribute breakfasts daily to the homeless and give donations of food to needy people each week (not just the homeless).  They all work tirelessly to support some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Current estimates are  900 people sleeping in the open on the streets of Barcelona and another, larger unaccounted for group who are living on or below the poverty line: Barcelona has many people in need of help.  Over Christmas, both San Edigo and the Salvation Army organize a special Christmas dinner and also get together small practical gift bags for everyone of those in need who come in.  These celebratory meals are packed each year. Esperança are also organising a Christmas drive and trying to organise a similar bag that they will deliver to those on the streets homeless on Christmas Eve.  All three organisations could do with help, either in physical donations or donating time as a volunteer. They are looking for help with the meals, food runs, donations of food (for the outreach) or help with their gift bags: warm clothing items, socks, gloves, underwear,toiletries or a small gift like chocolate.  So why not give a gift this Christmas and help them?  

For more information or to help go to: 

Esperança: https://www.facebook.com/groups/esperancabcn.   

San Egidio www.santegidio.org  or contact Raquel Sancho on 934478123 or info@santegidio.es  or donate via: ES74 2100-3000-1321-0293-1895. 

The Salvation Army: Contact Hugo Torrico Office : 93 187 61 88 ( 8h30- 13h and 17h-19h) Home: 93 415 56 54. Or donate via Banco de Sabadell 0081 0077 84 0001067609