Father ChristmasChristmas is a time for giving

Particularly to those who need a bit more help.

Stowmarket Chamber is once again launching its Reverse Advent Calendar in support of Stowmarket & Area Foodbank.

 

What is a reverse advent calendar?

Reverse Advent Christmas BasketTake a bag, box or basket – every day add an item from the list below – then donate the items to your local foodbank in plenty of time to be handed out by Christmas.

Simples!

The Stowmarket & Area Foodbank deadline is the Stowmarket Chamber Christmas lunch on Friday 15 December, but they are very happy to receive donations at any time before that.

Where can I donate?

Hillside Community Centre Stowmarket IP14 2BD – open Tues-Fri 9am-1pm

Gipping Press Maitland Road Needham Market IP6 8NZ

Stowmarket Chamber Christmas Lunch – book here

Christmas Hampers

The Foodbank Christmas Hampers will be launched by the Mayor on Sunday 10 December.  There will be frantic packing by the Foodbank all the following week, ready for deliveries w/c Monday 18 December in time for Christmas (remember Christmas day is Monday this year).

Christmas is a time for giving - please donate

 

In-life, please!

There have been some horror stories about foodbank donations!  40-year-old macaroni and 50-year-old soup among them.   Please make sure that everything you donate will still be in life by 31 December.

And watch those tins of Xmas biscuits!  The supermarkets stock goods labelled Christmas from summer onwards, and they may be out of life in November.  (Of course, the supermarkets expect us to have eaten them, and hope to sell us a second tin for Christmas itself).

The Foodbank cannot distribute anything that is past its use by/best before date and it has to check everything that is donated.  They regularly have to reject as much as 20% of donations for being out of shelf life – sometimes by 3 or 4 years.  ☹

Gifts?  Toys?

Stowmarket & Area Foodbank will accept gifts and toys, but only to pass them over to the Salvation Army.  The Foodbank is not set up for handling Christmas gifts.

Normal everyday toiletries can be donated, along with nappies, toilet rolls, and feminine hygiene products. These products are welcome throughout the year.

Post-Christmas collections

If you have a lot of festive foodstuff left over after the Christmas period, and you are scared it will ruin your New Year’s resolutions, why not donate anything in-life and unopened to the Foodbank?

Agencies will have referred clients to the Foodbank over the festive season, too late for the Christmas Hampers, and you may allow a family to have a little much-needed cheer in January.

Thank you for your help – anything you can donate will be appreciated!

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