About 500 households will receive gift hampers from the Salvation Army this week after the organisation was flooded with donations.

Seniors who had registered with the charity were able to collect their hampers from one of three locations today, while remaining applicants can pick up their gifts on Wednesday.

In October, the Salvation Army announced that food stores at its Hamilton citadel were almost empty.

However, the organisation has been swamped with donations since then, allowing it to help people in need over Christmas.

Major Darryl Simms, the corps officer and pastor, said: “We’ve received around 500 or so applications — that’s households, so each household could have three, four, five people.

“Every person who’s applied and is on our list can come in and get their groceries and their chicken. We’re also providing toys.

“Our donations over the last couple of weeks have just kept coming and coming.

“Even this morning we’re getting calls from people wanting to make donations, people are continuing to support.

“Their kindness and love and support and generosity are so greatly appreciated.

“When you think about the cost of living, food insecurity, the price of electricity and rising costs, we’re glad to help those who are truly in need.”

He added: “We’re able to do this through the generosity of the people of the island, through individual donations, corporate donations, they’ve just made all of this possible and we say ‘thank you’ to each and every person who supports the ministry of the Salvation Army, especially during this Christmas season.”

Major Cathy Simms, the area commander, also praised the community.

She said: “The donations have been incredible. The hearts of people have opened up.”

Major Simms said that donations had come from individuals, and school students.

She added: “The smallest gifts all add up and people are just seeing the need of giving back to people.

“Seeing the next generation learning the value of giving … it’s such a beautiful thing.

“I always say that you’re not giving a gift to an organisation, you’re giving to the community. Everything that comes to us goes right back out to the community.

“We can only do what they provide for us to give. We can only give what they provide. We’re just the vehicle. It’s really moved our hearts. It blows my mind to see people supporting one another, helping one another.”