The Examiner hopes to spread some extra cheer to those in need this festive season, as it launches its 109th Empty Stocking Appeal.

This year members of the community are being challenged to raise $2000 per day of the appeal, which would see the goal of $60,000 reached by December 25. 

Each and every dollar raised will be split evenly between four local charities, the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Launceston Benevolent Society, City Mission and the Salvation Army.

City Mission chief executive Stephen Brown said funds raised through The Examiner’s Empty Stocking Appeal played a significant part in the charity’s ability to meet the growing demand for support at Christmas. 

“Last year, thanks to the generosity of Northern Tasmanians, we received around $19,000 from the Empty Stocking Appeal, which helped us provide emergency relief, children’s gifts and Christmas food to over 300 local people,” he said. 

“For low-income families, Christmas can be an incredibly stressful time with the added pressure of buying food and gifts, it’s difficult to explain to children the reasons there might not be a gift for them under the Christmas tree.”

St Vincent de Paul's Ann Piper said the demand for help is constant across the North of the state.

“It just helps to take the pressure off and allows people to get through Christmas without feeling as if their children are left behind,” she said. 

The holidays can also be a challenging time with kids home from school, according to the Salvation Army's Anita Reeve. 

“Without the support of the Empty Stocking Appeal we would not be able to support the number of families that we do,” she said.

John Stuart from the Launceston Benevolent Society said grandparents also struggled with the pressure to host Christmas.

“It gives us assistance to continue to purchase food and items that we can assist the needy with, without that it would make our position quiet tenable,” he said.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

There are many ways you can support the 109th Empty Stocking Appeal.

IN PERSON

Donations to can be made at Fairfax Media’s offices and at businesses displaying a Empty Stocking Appeal tin. You can also donate through tins at local businesses which carry the appeal logo.

ONLINE

To bank transfer please use the Empty Stocking account:

BSB: 035-822 

Account number: 011443538

To use BPAY use the same account:

Biller number: 49429

Reference number: 01002111170014435384

SNAIL MAIL

Write to: The Examiner, 113 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, 7250.

The Empty Stocking Appeal will run from November 24 to late December.