Organisers of the Ulladulla Soup Kitchen are preparing to fill hampers with Christmas goodies donated by the public during their 15 Can Challenge.

In the lead up to Christmas, shoppers were invited to purchase one extra can of food or grocery item each week to donate to the needy.

As a result, the Soup Kitchen has enough food, toiletries, toys and household items to fill about 10 hampers.

Volunteers have begun packing boxes, but are reminding people they have until December 20 to drop off donations to the white Soup Kitchen van at Ulladulla Harbour on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings or at Roberto’s Deli in Milton or Shane Drury Automotives in Deering Street, Ulladulla.

One of the organisers, Leonie Smith, said the 15 Can Challenge had attracted an “overwhelming response” from the community.

“It’s been amazing,” she said.

Soup Kitchen regulars will not only receive a hamper of Christmas goodies, volunteers have also purchased a gift for each patron as will host a Christmas dinner, complete with ham, turkey and a visit from Santa on Tuesday night December 23.

The Soup Kitchen operates two night per week, with hot, nutritious food supplied, cooked and served by volunteers to homeless and struggling individual and families, many with young children, overlooking Ulladulla Harbour.