The Andover foodbank needs your help to support those in need in our community this Christmas. The foodbank is expecting a very high level of demand for Christmas giftboxes and Christmas hampers and your donations can help.
In 2021 the foodbank distributed over 1150 Christmas gift boxes full of toys and gifts to care workers at agencies, including Children’s Services, Yellow Brick Road Projects and Andover Young Carers, to be given to local children in need. The demand for gift boxes was higher than in any previous year but thanks to the generosity of local individuals, companies, clubs and schools, and a fantastic team of volunteers all the requests from care workers were matched. The giftboxes were welcomed by families and children. One Young Carer wrote ‘‘I love my Christmas box, I felt very happy when I got it. I felt happy and excited to open it and very joyful thank you!!!! I love my new things. Thanks‘.
Click here for more information on Christmas gift boxes and to see our leaflet, labels and lots of ideas for gifts. All items must be new and unused, sweets must have a use by date and list of ingredients on each individual packet (loose sweets or packets from multipacks without these cannot be distributed), and free items such as toys from restaurants and basic toiletries should not be included. The foodbank distributes basic toiletries separately. You can also donate to the project online or by texting GIFTBOX and the amount you want to donate to 70085 (eg GIFTBOX 15). Text GIFTBOXNOINFO and the amount you want to donate if you do not want us to be contacted in the future. Texts will cost your donation amount plus one standard rate message.
Christmas hampers are given to families and individuals who are struggling. These hampers make an enormous difference to the festive season, helping alleviate the many financial pressures and allowing people to celebrate the season rather than exist through it. You can donate through 12 days of Christmas . There are 12 dates with 12 items starting on 1 November 2022 with a ‘bag for life’. You can follow 12 Days to Christmas on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram adding items on specific days at or do your shopping in one go.
Gift boxes must be delivered to the foodbank by Monday 7 November 2022. This guarantees that care workers have time to discreetly deliver the gift boxes to families in time for Christmas. Hampers must be delivered by Sunday 27 November 2022.