AS the rising cost of living causes hardship this festive season, get the kids in on our winter food drive.
will help put meals on the table for those who are hungry in the colder months.
Lynsey Hope and her children, Olive, 8 and Ivy, 5 who are going to help her create a ‘reverse advent calendar’Credit: Oliver Dixon
The Sun has partnered with Tesco so readers can leave your food at donation points in stores up and down the country
And children will love collecting donations using a “reverse” advent calendar.
Can YOU help? Drop off your food donations at Tesco stores or click here to donate
It’s simple. Instead of opening a window and taking out a treat each day, give something back for those in need.
Starting on December 1, add one item daily to a hamper.
This can be a wrapped-up box or festive bag.
Once completed, drop it at your nearest store, knowing that the goods will help keep community pantries and foodbanks stocked up as demand rises over winter.
Have fun this weekend decorating your box with the kids, ready to start collecting on Monday.
Make it an occasion by getting youngsters to pick the day’s donation as they open the door on their chocolate advent calendar.
It couldn’t be simpler to create your own reverse one. First, wrap an old cardboard box in Christmas paper.
Then, from Monday, pick an item a day from your cupboard to pop inside. It should be unopened and within its sell-by-date.
Once full, drop it at your nearest Tesco collection point in store, just before or after .
Lynsey, 43, of West Malling, , got daughters Olive, eight, and Ivy, five, to make a reverse advent calendar.
She says: “It’s important my children realise how lucky they are at Christmas.
“Not only do they get presents, their tummies are always full.
“A reverse advent calendar is a great idea. I was surprised how much they enjoyed picking something to give away.”
We have partnered with Tesco to make donation drop-offs easy if you can pop a little something extra in your trolley.
Items will go to Trussell, which runs community foodbanks, and FareShare, which distributes food to more than 8,000 good causes and volunteers for use in community kitchens.
Donation wish list
TINNED FOOD: Fish, meat, pies, vegetarian meals, vegetables, soup, beans, pulses
STORE CUPBOARD: Cereals, dried pasta, noodles, rice, dried pot meals, cooking sauces, cooking oil, peanut butter, preserves, condiments
SNACKS: Dried fruit, nuts, biscuits
DESSERTS: Sponge puddings, tinned rice pudding, tinned fruit
DRINKS: Long-life juice, UHT milk, tea, instant coffee
TOILETRIES: Toilet roll, shower gel, shampoo conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant
CHRISTMAS TREATS: Selection boxes, Christmas pudding, festive biscuits
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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