Donate a reverse advent calendar to your local food bank
For the 13 million people living in poverty in the UK, Christmas can be one of the most challenging periods of the year. In fact, across the country, food banks are bracing themselves for a surge in families in need of emergency supplies - predicting their busiest month ever. That's why some people are choosing to reverse things this advent - with a calendar that gives back.
The idea is simple - instead of opening the door to a chocolate or treat, you do the giving, putting aside a donation each day of advent, which you then take to a food bank in time for Christmas. We’re speaking to the woman who came up with the clever idea, Louise Scott, and also crossing live to one of Britain’s busiest food banks.
Trussell Trust advise contacting your local food bank to ask what particular items they need and the best times to drop off your donations. Different food banks might be in need of different items.
Here are the sort of items you should give
A typical food parcel includes:CerealSoupPastaRicePasta sauceBeansTinned meatTinned vegetablesTea/coffeeTinned fruitBiscuits
Also:Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipesHousehold items – laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquidFeminine products – sanitary towels and tamponsBaby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food. (Please note, due to advice from UNICEF we cannot provide formula milk.)
Advice on doing a ‘reverse advent calendar’:
December is the busiest month of the year for foodbanks - higher energy bills as temperatures drop and the cost of extra meals when the kids aren’t at school during the Christmas, are likely to combine with year-round pressures like the rising cost of living, the current freeze on levels of benefit payments, and issues with universal credit roll-out. For many families this December, there just won’t be enough money coming in to weather this perfect storm.
If you're thinking of doing a reverse advent calendar and haven't yet begun, please contact your local food bank before getting started to check which items they are running low on & where/when your calendar can be dropped off - many food banks are likely to have different opening hours later in December. If you’d like to donate festive food please drop this off as early as possible so volunteers have enough time to sort and distribute your donation before Christmas!