Celebrate the meaning of the festive season by giving instead of receiving
December is here and in homes across the country, cardboard doors on advent calendars are being opened in the traditional countdown to Christmas.
These days, we have advent calendars for everything you can think of, not just your standard Christmas picture or chocolate, you can now get advent calendars with alcohol, make-up, socks, toiletries – The list is endless!
As some people look to luxury, we choose to reverse things with a calendar that gives something back. This is a way to really celebrate the meaning of the festive season by giving instead of receiving.
The idea is simple; instead of opening the door of your advent calendar, YOU do the giving and put aside a donation each day.
You can now donate items from the list below until Friday 15 December. At Ravelin reception, you can find a box where you can drop off your donations, which will be then distributed in time for Christmas.
What to give?
- Toys, puzzles, games for kids aged 8 and up
- Art materials, pencils, paper, paints, colouring books
- Gift sets:
- Chocolate bars, Toiletries, Toys
- Non-perishable food items:
- Tea, coffee, squash, juices, long-life milk
- Biscuits, chocolates, tinned meat/fish, family packs of crisps
- Toiletries:
- Shampoo, tissues, sanitary towels, tampons, wipes, tubes of toothpaste, toothbrushes and shower gels
All of these items will be shared between Food Bank and 3 charities that were chosen this year: Buckland Soup Kitchen, Pompey in the Community and URBOND youth charity.
Donate a gift for someone who may not usually receive any Christmas presents.
Many of the toy donations will become gifts URBOND give to the families they support, so no children miss out on presents on Christmas Day.
Other items, like food, and toiletries, will go directly to people in need via the Buckland Soup Kitchen to help their day-to-day lives and Food Bank.
The gift sets will go to Pompey in the Community so the young carers will get a gift this year.
All these charities offer drinks and meals to users of their service so donations like coffee, sugar and canned goods really help them keep going.
Thank you! Knowing someone cares is an amazing and very powerful thing!