The holiday season is a time of giving, reflection, and spreading joy to those around us. While traditional advent calendars offer a daily treat as we count down to Christmas, a reverse advent calendar takes a different approach—one rooted in generosity and community spirit. Instead of receiving, you give. By filling a box with items each day leading up to Christmas, you can create a powerful impact for those in need. This year, consider making a difference by participating in a reverse advent calendar for your local food bank. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to share the holiday spirit and help ensure that everyone in your community can enjoy a warm meal and the comfort of knowing they are cared for during this festive time.
Advent is the perfect for focusing on the joy of the season, but it can also seem really commercial. A couple of years ago we started our Advent acts of kindness, an alternative advent for kids to try and refocus this time away from receiving to giving. Last year we made a Reverse Advent Calendar.
Donating to a food bank is a visual activity to do with children and it can make a massive difference to families and people in need. We used to do this over the month of December and then drop it off on Christmas Eve, however, we now do it over November so it can be with people for the Christmas season.
What is a Reverse Advent Calendar?
I would love to say this is my idea, but I am sure it has been around a while. Firstly you need to grab a basket or box, and every day in December leading up to Christmas, add something useful to the box. The idea is that you add 24 items just like an advent calendar.
Then you can donate it to a food bank, a family in need, homeless shelter or your church. A reverse advent calendar is perfect to do as a group too. You can put the box in your classroom, workplace or do it as a larger family group and take turns at adding to it.
We are focussing on gifts for the local foodbank here, but you could also do a donation box for local animal shelters or baby bank
What to Put in a Reverse Advent Calendar for a Food Bank
If you are anything like me you will wonder what to put into your reverse advent calendar or give to a food pantry.
All donations are appreciated, but like me stressing in front of my cupboards I know most people want to know that what they are giving will actually help people.
- Tuna – It’s packed full of protein and can be cooked as part of a meal or eaten straight from the can
- Things with ring pulls – Yep, This is probably one of the biggest tips I can give you! Homeless people often don’t carry tin openers due to the amount of stuff they have to carry around so if the tin of food you give doesn’t have a ring pull on it then they might not be able to eat it. Such a little thing that can make a difference!
- Baby formula. As anyone who has formula fed a baby knows, formula is a big drain on your finances. This is a great way that you can support families with young kids.
- Nappies. Yep, same thing. No one should be worrying about how often they can afford to change their child’s nappy or if buying a new pack means less food that week.
- Chopped pork or corned beef. These both used to be cheap sources of protein but the price of them has really risen. They’re super versatile as like tuna, they can be used as part of a meal or can be eaten cold.
- Baked beans. And yes, apparently the value ones are more than ok to give!
- Tinned curry. A great way to help people have a nice meal with some flavour in it. They also often contain some vegetables in them which is helpful.
- Irish Stew or a thick chunky soup. This is also something that gets requested a lot.
- Kids snacks. As all parents know, kids can eat a lot and need topping up with food regularly!
- Pot noodles. A good source of protein and carbohydrates.
- Big Soups. Tinned hearty soups need to be better nutritionally than others.
- Rice Pudding. Stodgy, filling and very popular.
- Coffee
- UHT Milk and long life milk for people who don’t have access to a fridge.
Non-Food Items to Include in a Reverse Advent
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Toys
- Socks
- Blankets
- Feminine hygiene products
- Homemade Christmas Card
A big thank you to Crafts on Sea for help with the list of what to donate.
Help throughout the year. Your help and support at Harvest and Christmas is really, truly appreciated, however, please don’t forget food banks throughout the rest of winter. January, February and even March can be exceptionally cold and people living in poverty need your help just as much then.
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