Last year, the UK money bloggers grouped together and decided to do a challenge called the reverse food advent challenge. The idea behind this is so straight forward. A normal advent calendar gives you something every morning. Normally chocolate, though there are so adult ones now containing fancy body stuff, or even gin! But, in a reverse advent calendar, each day you add a food item (or another useful item) to a box so by the end of it, you have 25 items that could be given as a little hamper to a food bank. It would be lovely to take your hamper to your local food bank.
Christmas is a stressful time for a lot of people. People who rely on different credits and free school meals suddenly have their children at home for two weeks and need to feed them each day. It really is as simple as that; the little change can tip over the edge and then there are families who are hungry for days on end. Whilst the majority of us are enjoying our Christmas dinner (and pud) there will be some who are eating tinned anything just to have something to eat that day.
The main food bank charity is the Trussell Trust, but have a search to see who your local food bank are. The one most local to us is run by the Church, so it does depend on where you live. The last time I rang our local food bank, one of the things they were in desperate need of was men’s toiletries. They had a surplus of dried pasta and tinned tomatoes, so said if we could focus on other things that would be great.
They have a post about what’s in a food parcel here, but local food banks often have things that they are in desperate need of and things they don’t need any more of at the current time. I suggest getting in touch if you can, though at this time of year I think they’ll need everything!
Remember about period poverty too. A truly awful thing to have to experience I am sure; it is where a woman cannot afford to buy sanitary products each month. I have heard some horrible stories about what people improvise with, to get through that time. Try to pop in a box of these if you can, as well.
So that my reverse advent hamper can be used at Christmas, I’m going to do this throughout November, adding little extras each day. Even things like toiletries and sanitary products are very much needed as well. All of these things cost extra, and when you’re scraping pennies together, they go out the window very quickly. I intend to drop it off at the food bank at the beginning of December so that they can sort through the things and make sure they can be given out to whoever in time for Christmas. I’m going to try and add in some extras too, to hopefully make someone smile 🙂
I’m going to be keeping track of the items I put together, and sharing pictures on social media as I go along, using the hashtag #FoodbankAdvent 
in fact, there are quite a few people joining in with this already, which is fab!
Why don’t you join me? I think we could all make a real difference! One box at a time
Follow me on:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
What a lovely reminder. We should always think of others especially at Christmas. I live in an area where there are, sad to say, to many food banks! Our churches, volunteer centres, secondary schools and even our large supermarkets are collecting for food banks. It is vitally important to give something, if only toiletries. The thought of young women without essential sanitary protection and you men who need their own products makes me sad, angry and upset. To give, share, help and care are gifts that we as human beings are very good at doing.
So, thank you for reminding me to ring my local food bank and find out what they are desperately in need of. I’m going join your lovely advent calendar and I’m going to ask all of my friends and family to do their own advent as well.
Great that you’re going to take part, and ask friends and family to join in too 🙂
I have started my box, trying to source really practical things at the moment, also in smaller quantities as some recipients will be single users; so 2×1 pt long life milk, toothbrush, flannel and hotel/travel sized toiletries. I plan to add some Celebration/holiday treats at the end, mindful that it is not a religious festival for all, as it is with my family. My grandchildren have added in colouring book, crayons and an outgrown reading book, along with hat, scarf and mittens. We try not to lose sight of how lucky we are.
Sounds like you’re doing a great job already 🙂
I love this idea, and will definitely participate!
Great! Let me know how you get on 🙂
That’s such a good point about period poverty, you see the adverts about girls in 3rd world countries not having the right products but here in the UK, if you haven’t got money then even cheap products are not accessible. We can fall into the trap of thinking food banks just need food but toiletries also cost money.
Annette’s point about items for single people is a very good point. Also for those can’t refrigerate things once opened so small tins can be especially helpful.
This week I added nappies, baby wipes and nappy sacks as I used a voucher for the products as we no longer have babies in our family.
Great 🙂
Great point about single people. Also, making sure that the tins have ring pulls as some won’t have a tin opener.
WOW I love this idea! I must admit I don’t bother with any type of advent calendar now I’m on the path to FIRE but I love the idea of giving something to those who really need it!
Let me know if you join in 🙂
What a great idea and a wonderful reminder to share our wealth with others. Because if you have a roof over your head, food in the cupboard and a job to go to, you are truly wealthy!
Absolutely!