EVERY year Christmas brings joy and and fun to many, but there's always a flip side to those emotions.
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The need for help grows every year as Leeton's Salvation Army knows all to well.
To help spread some extra cheer this year, the army and its band of merry volunteers have been gathering donations from near and wide to help make Christmas a little easier for those going through a tough time.
Some residents may not know it, but there are people living in the Leeton shire community who struggle year-round with putting a roof over their head and food on their table for their children.
Add in the pressure of the festive season and it can be a not so joyous occasion.
Lesley Ward from the Leeton Salvation Army said the organisation was always on hand to help and 2020 was no different.
"We've had the PCYC kids from Griffith and Leeton who have been here and helped packed our food hampers ... a lot of the products for those have been donated by the community, some have been from Foodbank Australia, Enrich 360," she said.
"Those hampers are going direct to people in need this Christmas.
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"Some people have also put a $30 donation down or even forward paid for a hamper.
"We're also going to have toys coming in and they will be sent out as well."
Most of the hampers have already been assigned to people in the community to receive this Christmas, but there are some emergency packages still available for those in need.
People wanting a little extra helping hand this festive season should contact the Leeton Salvation Army to see how they can help.
Donations of food and even funds are always welcome to assist the organisation with its work.
Amid all of the hard work, the Leeton Salvation Army, its volunteers and the community has also been able to enjoy some festive fun for themselves.
A community Christmas lunch was recently held to celebrate the occasion, with attendees enjoying the chance to catch up and enjoy a meal together.
The army's food hall is still running and its op shop is also open for people to pick up gifts or items in time for the festive season.
"We're really lucky to be part of such a generous community," Ms Ward said.
"Everyone is always so happy to help and we're really grateful.
"It's been really great to see the kids from the PCYC here helping out as well."
Ms Ward also made special mention of ALDI and Freedom Foods who have assisted the army with donations throughout 2020 in what has proven to be tough time.
