Holiday Hampers is the Junior League of London’s signature community programme, as well as our longest running. Since 1996, the programme has provided hampers filled with gifts, food, toiletries and other essentials to some of London’s most vulnerable populations during the festive season.

We source hamper items year-round. While in-house fundraising efforts support the cost of the core campaign, its impact is enhanced by cash and product donations from individuals and businesses. Every autumn, our members carefully tailor hampers to the needs of recipients, whether they are elderly people, single mothers escaping domestic violence, or families working their way out of poverty.

Our aim is to help these families and individuals feel the spirit of the holidays. We understand from our Community Partners that our hampers are often the only gifts their clients receive, and they can make a real difference in their lives. As a West London Action for Children staff member once reported:

“The Hampers were the highlight of the Christmas activities for our clients. They made them feel cared for and far less isolated.”

In 2023 alone, Junior League of London members volunteered their time to assemble over 840 Holiday Hampers which were then delivered to 17 agencies across London, providing essentials to more than 1,500 people.

The press release on our 2023 Holiday Hampers programme can be found here.

Supporting Holiday Hampers

There are many ways you can get involved with Holiday Hampers and help make a difference during the festive season.

• Donate items

Help make someone’s holiday a little bit more special and buy a gift for a hamper recipient. Our Amazon Registry lists a range of gifts, toiletries and food items we need, which can be shipped directly to the JLL to pack in the hampers.

• Donate money

Not sure what to purchase? Cash donations are extremely helpful. You can contribute via our JustGiving page.

• Organise an office drive

Items like food and toiletries that go in the Holiday Hampers can be collected via donation boxes in workplaces:

• • Tinned soup, vegetables or fruit
  • Dried pasta and jarred sauce
  • Tea and coffee
  • Body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes or soap

Offer a small prize to the person who brings in the most items and get the competitive juices flowing!

• Help us to publicise the programme

We are always interested in finding ways to spread the word about Holiday Hampers. Are you a journalist looking for a story? Do you have technical skills in photography, video editing or PR that you would like to contribute? Contact us.

Want to do more?

Email us year-round: holidayhampers@jll.org.uk.