Do any of your school's do a special Christmas food bank collection?

[Noellefielding]

I was just wondering as it's a fairly obvious implication of the nativity story and I know this year is going to be very hard for a lot of families.
I saw the kids company Christmas video which really moved me and has stayed on my mind.

[Noellefielding]

Forgive rogue apostrophe, 'Schools"

[CMOTDibbler]

They collect christmas puddings as part of a local thing which puts together christmas food boxes.

DS and I did a foodbank shop on Saturday, and will put together a christmas meal box and drop it off this weekend, after seeing an appeal in our local paper.

[Noellefielding]

That's a really brilliant thing to do CMOT, clever idea to do a hamper.

[wigglesrock]

Yes, they do hampers every year. Each year (primary) brings something different in. Funny enough mine are away in today, tinned meat/ fish for one and selection boxes for the other. I remember doing it in primary school too.

[PesoPenguin]

No. It's a good idea though!

[cowbiscuits74]

At my kids school each class is paired with a family that has been put forward by dept of family services. It is anonymous, you just know how many adults how many kids and their ages to help you with selecting items for a hamper which could either be non-perishable food, clothes, books, toiletries, gifts or even Christmas decorations. The class make a card and the hamper is delivered to the family by social services. I am getting a department store voucher then the family can use it for clothes, toys or gifts.

It is a nice way for the kids to remember how lucky they are and show a bit of community spirit.

There are also toy drives here and I take them so they can shop for a new toy for another child and just that, nothing for them on that shopping trip.

The food bank idea is similar to harvest festival, I remember taking in a few tins of something or other to school. I am sure they welcome it any time of year.

[vickibee]

they ask for 'sweet treat' donations and distribute to local elederly in our small village, at the same time as performing thir xmas play.

[jThompson]

Ours do a food bank collection mid October as part of the harvest festival. This year someone came in to talk to the children in assembly the week before then we sent in tins/packets and someone came along to receive it at the harvest assembly.

They usually do something similar with the local homeless shelter in December.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

Contact the Trussell trust to find out if there are any initiatives in your area that you could participate in.

www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects

[Noellefielding]

thank you, brilliant suggestions, I have already spoken to the chairman of our local food bank who said she'd come in if the school would like her to. I've been in touch with the school and am waiting to see what they say.
Each year bringing in something different is a really good idea wiggle.
cowbiscuits is that initiated by social services?

[Alexaa]

Yes we have a food bank. I donated a bag of brown rice (DD put in my trolley instead of white rice a few months back) and tins of fruit, veg and other things.

[wonkylegs]

Our school has had a number of events including Christmas & Harvest Festival to donate goods to the town food bank.
They always have a good response but there is also no pressure which is important as there are a proportion of the families in our school that are recipients of the food bank donations.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Cow that's a lovely idea. Your money might go further with a Tesco voucher rather than a department store though, and there would still be the clothes, food or toys option.