Peter Kinsella, Global Care Coordinator and Senior Pastor of Empower Church, Penrith, said the idea for the hampers came in the aftermath of the fires, when he and his team decided to take on the role of Global Care and start disaster relief.
"I talked to Global Care National Director Peter Pilt, and asked him what we could do – the fires were virtually on our doorstep. At night we could see the glow in the sky.
"Peter suggested making up hampers that we could distribute to people who had lost everything in the fires. So we took a bus to one of the worst-hit streets, Buena Vista Road, Winmalee, where 40 houses had been totally destroyed and another 25 damaged.
"We just parked our bus and walked up and down chatting to people, getting to know them, and getting an idea of what they needed. It was just before Christmas, and very poignantly, people had lost their Christmas trees, lights and gifts, apart from all their other household and personal possessions.
"It was heartbreaking – we knew we couldn't help every fire victim, but we could help some.
"Volunteers and donations came in from our church and other churches in the area, from as far away as Bundaberg, and we were able to start distributing the first wave of about 30 hampers about two weeks after the fires," he said.
"The key was to talk to each family affected, and find out what they needed most.
"This way, we could tailor the hampers to individual needs. Typically we included fresh fruit and vegetables donated by local retailers, grocery, linen, and hygiene items, camping gear, even bicycles.
"The second wave went out on December 7, and was more Christmas-oriented. Apart from additional grocery, linen and hygiene items, we included Christmas trees, lights and decorations.
"It wasn't much really in the overall scope of things, but it was something practical we could to help bring a little Christmas cheer to people who had lost everything.
"We have now decided to prepare back-to-school and back-to-work hampers as well, to help families move into the new year. Again we will talk to individual families as to their specific needs, but typically hampers will include shoes, gift cards, writing materials and books.
"We are packing them now, and will deliver them over the next few days," he said.
Peter said it was the great organization and facilities provided by Global Care head office in Nowra that made the hamper project in the Blue Mountains work so well.
"Having Global Care there as a back-up resource and 'umbrella' made this whole process so much easier.
"It transformed our desire to help into the reality of being able to actually do something practical and meaningful. The people we have helped have been absolutely amazing – we have continually been amazed at their courage and determination.
"It is just beautiful and so moving and humbling for us to be able to help people like this, we have made some real and lasting friendships.
"As we hand out the hampers, it is often very emotional – tears on both sides are the order of the day," he said.