The Andover foodbank needs your help to support those in need this Christmas. You can help by donating a Christmas gift box or a Christmas hamper.
Last year the foodbank distributed over 1250 Christmas gift boxes and bags full of toys and gifts to care workers at agencies – more than in any previous year and demand this year is expected to be even greater. The recipients included children supported by Children’s Services, Purple Oak, and Andover Young Carers. The foodbank also gives Christmas hampers or bags of Christmas food to families and individuals. Last year the foodbank distributed 945 hampers.
The foodbank was able to distribute these gift boxes because of the generosity of local individuals, companies, clubs and schools, and a fantastic team of volunteers.
Gift boxes and hampers help to alleviate the many financial pressures and allow people to celebrate Christmas rather than exist through it. A mother said: ‘It took the stress out of Christmas a bit. The kids loved their items’, and another family said ‘you have just lifted a huge weight off my shoulders’.
Gift boxes gives more information and Christmas gift boxes leaflet has labels and lots of ideas for gifts. All items must be new and unused, sweets must have a use by date on each individual packet (loose sweets or packets from multipacks without a date 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 online or by texting GIFTBOX and the amount you want to donate to 70085 (e.g. GIFTBOX 15). Text GIFTBOXNOINFO and the amount you want to donate if you do not want to be contacted in the future. Texts will cost your donation amount plus one standard rate message.
You can donate through 12 days of Christmas. There are 12 dates with 12 items starting on 1 November 2023 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 Friday 3 November 2023. This guarantees that care workers have time to discreetly deliver the gift boxes to families in time for Christmas. Hampers must be delivered to the foodbank by Sunday 26 November 2023.