Advent calendars

LignumVitae

I'm not preaching but I thought I'd pass this idea on. It's a growing idea started by a few UK comics and it's lovely. The idea is that when you go for a shop you pick up an advent calendar or two if you can afford it and you donate them to your local food bank. I think it's a lovely way to know you've made a difference to a child's christmas. If you are using a food bank chances are advent calendars are off the list of christmas treats you can afford for your child. I always had one and they were so exciting!

Slosh

What a lovely idea. We collect for a foodbank at my church so will do this. When she was younger my daughter's guide troop used to do the "shoebox" appeal where you fill a shoebox with small gifts for a child affected by conflict or poverty abroad. We always enjoyed doing this and thinking of that child on Christmas Day.

stickywicket

The best ideas are so often the simplest. Nice one, LV.

applerose

Very good idea. I don't know where there is a food bank near me but I'll definitely look out for one. I usually buy one or two extra gifts to donate to our local radio station for children who don't get so much. Hmmm, might contact them and put forward your suggestion.

theresak

That`s a really good idea, LV - we gave our grandsons an Advent calendar each today, plus another one each for them to hand in at school for their collection for children who are not as lucky as them. All the classes are being asked to bring one if possible.

tkachev

http://www.trusselltrust.org/map

Here is a map for the trussell trust. also local churches tend to collect for foodbanks.

Its a lovely idea LV and I will certainly be contributing.

Elizabeth

barbara12

good thinking LV..like you say its something they wouldn't expect to get.x

applerose

Thanks Elizabeth. I've checked on there and the nearest one to me is 2 bus journeys away. It would take me an hour to get there. However, I emailed my local radio station and they said they had been talking about this over the last couple of weeks. Hopefully, they will collect advent calendars to distribute.

LignumVitae

Thanks Elizabeth for that very useful link. Christine, I love that you have contacted your radio station about it, you might just have made a huge difference to lots of children! If nothing comes from it though it might be worth checking with local churches. The one where the girls go to play group has a collection point for the local foodbank near us. I think health centres might also provide spaces where you can drop stuff off. I know a few of my local supermarkets often to a drive before christmas too where they give you a flyer on your way in and then provide a bin on the way out where you can drop food or whatever you may have picked up on your trip around the store.

GraceB

I saw several calendar s in the food bank bin at my local T##co yesterday so I think word is spreading about this. Excellent idea as it could make all the difference in the world to a little one.
GraceB

frogmorton

That comedian Jason Manford who helped Stephen Sutton ahs donated HUNDREDS of them. I think his connection to Stephen will have encouraged more people to donate.

Isn't it a genuinely LOVELY idea

Heartening methinks.

Thanks for starting this thread Lignumvitae. Definitley

Love

Toni xxx

dreamdaisy

I will do this, our local Co-op has a trolley for food-bank donations so I'll drop some in.

Although I am 55 I always have a traditional Advent calendar. DD

applerose

I was in T*sc* yesterday and they had trolleys at the entrance for people to leave food in for the food banks. There was a list of items they wanted. I asked about advent calendars but they didn't want them. However, there was a news article in the local paper showing a girl who had been collecting them and she had hundreds.

Starburst

I think that donating to food banks is such a quick and easy way to help others. While I am not suggesting that charity donations are not appreciated, needed and generous, with food banks, you are meeting a very basic need and it makes such a big difference instantaneously.

Just a little tip for those who donate; I was told that while things like potatoes are lovely, some food bank recipients cannot afford to run the gas or electricity, which is why they suggest tinned foods.

Thanks, LV for this thread. You have reminded me how hard Christmas is for some people, so I shall be donating some food as well as some treats in there because tis the season to be jolly and all that.