Dawn Stanford, Operations Director at Nourish Community Foodbank, explains the reason behind their Christmas Appeal: “We are acutely aware that, for many of us, this is a time where we have to tighten our belts and so we think it would be inappropriate to launch a big campaign this year. However, we are appealing to anyone who is able to support us with food or a monetary donation to please help us to make sure no family goes without this Christmas. The number of people needing food support in our community is rising weekly and we anticipate that, over Christmas, this will exceed 300 households. This is partly due to the cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills, but we have also seen food donations drop to their lowest for six years, and we now have to buy tonnes of food to meet the need in our community.”

Collect essential items over the first 12 days of Christmas

We would be grateful if you could collect one item a day from our list, each day for the first 12 days of Christmas. Our daily items will be listed on our website and on our social media channels. Please drop your items to Nourish Community Foodbank, Unit 5 Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UP Monday 12th – Saturday 17th December 9am-12pm.

If you are a school, business, church or club collecting for us, book a pickup slot between Monday 12th – Wednesday 14th December by contacting admin@nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk.

Buy a Christmas dinner for a family in crisis

We want to ensure that this year nobody goes without a Christmas dinner in our community. Texting FOOD £20 to 70085 could help us to provide everything a family needs to be able to have Christmas dinner together.

We are grateful for any donation, so if you wish to text a different amount, simply add your amount after the word FOOD, e.g. text FOOD £3 to 70085 to donate £3. This may be something individuals, companies, places of worship and groups can do as a fundraiser or as an alternative to giving Christmas gifts.

Send a Digital Christmas Card in aid of Nourish

Save yourself the cost of Christmas cards and stamps and send your loved ones a digital Christmas Card in aid of Nourish Community Foodbank. We recommend a £20 donation which would help us buy Christmas Dinner for a family in need, or make a donation of your choice. Please visit https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/nourish-community-foodbank/christmas to donate and select your digital Christmas card design.

Dawn adds: “We know that times are tough for everyone this winter, and not everyone will be in a position to donate. However, we know that we live in a very compassionate community, so whatever you are able to do to help us help others in need will be very much appreciated.”

To find out more about what we do, please visit www.nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk.