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Some ideas for your #FoodBankAdvent box

Posted Faith Archer
ideas for foodbank advent

Not sure what to include in your #FoodBankAdvent box? Here’s what some of the UK Money Bloggers have included so far.

The UK Money Bloggers’ #FoodBankAdvent Christmas campaign launched this week and donations are already off to a great start with many bloggers and readers already adding one item a day, for 25 days, to a box destined for their local food bank.

The idea is to collect items during November, which can then be delivered to food banks at the start of December, ready for distribution before Christmas.

Read more about the campaign and why we think no one should go hungry at Christmas.

What should you include in your Food Bank Advent box?

Interested in filling your own #FoodBankAdvent box? Focus on long-lasting, non-perishable tins and packets. The Trussell Trust lists the contents of a typical food parcel here.

However, it’s worth contacting the food bank in your area, to find out what they need most. They might have a glut of pasta and baked beans, for example, but really need long life milk. Food banks also give out non-food items like essential toiletries, sanitary protection, laundry products and baby items like nappies and wipes.

You can find your local Trussell Trust food bank here, but there are other food banks up and down the country.

What money bloggers have included so far

If you need some inspiration, here are some pictures of what a handful of UK Money Bloggers have donated so far:

Di from Super Lucky added shower gel, noodles and suitably seasonal mini cheddars:

Kalpana at Mummy Money Matters kicked off with Tampax:

Jane at Skinted Minted Mum has already put in pasta, pesto, sugar, tea bags and sanitary towels:

Personally, over at Much More With Less, I’ve gone for quick cook mac ‘n’ cheese, a toothbrush, and some tinned pineapple in a ring pull can:

It doesn’t matter when you start either. Andy from Be Clever With Your Cash began his almost a week after everyone else, starting with a pack of biscuits. Even if you start things off in December you can then donate in the new year.

After an eventful trip to the supermarket, Hollie at Thrifty Mum will be adding some bonus chocolates to her reverse advent calendar:

Thank you to Theresa from our @sainsburys Local 💋who helped James out of his biggest tantrum so far! 🤦🏻‍♀️ He had a full on layout in the middle of the aisle, 🙇🏼 snot all over the tiles and 100% refusal to shift ⛔️ Theresa came to the rescue with chocolate 🍫 This little Halloween bag of choc eye balls Made. His. Day 😂 To be fair, she could have given him an empty box or used till receipt 🤷🏻‍♀️ He was just happy to have something he didn’t have to share with Little Ted 💁🏻 Journey back to the car was restored and to pass on the kindness, we’re adding the chocolates as a bonus gift in our reverse advent box for our local food bank in Cottingham. And…relax. It’s definitely been one of “those days” 💆🏻🍷 #foodbankadvent #notallheroeswearcapes

A post shared by Hollie Gregersen (@thriftymum) on

Lynn aka Mrs Mummypenny started over on Instagram with a can of baked beans:

A post shared by Lynn James (@mrsmummypennyuk) on

While Chammy from Chammy in Real Life added rice as her first item:

Meanwhile Kara from My Best Friend’s Guide to Cash recommends including plastic bags and bags for life, as the 5p charge has created a need for carrier bags:

Jane at Shoestring Cottage decorated a box to encourage her workmates to take part, so they could share the cost between them:

Do share pics of your own reverse advent calendar on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #FoodbankAdvent

If times are tough and you might need support from a food bank, ask for a referral from a health visitor, doctor, social worker or someone from the council, police, health centres, children’s centres or Citizens Advice.

One thought on “Some ideas for your #FoodBankAdvent box”

  1. I’m not doing #FoodBankAdvent though I think it is a super cause, and have shared on FB, Twitter. However I have been inspired by you guys to set up a regular donation to the Trussell Trust, so my ‘Advent calendar’ will benefit the charity throughout the year. I often put stuff in the supermarket box, but this way the charity gets it regularly all the year round…

    Reply

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