Helping those in need at Christmas

[MamaLlama123]

What things do you do to reach out to those in need at Christmas? eg donating food/ helping in soup kitchen

i have always approached Christmas more as a consumer however would be interested in ideas for how i could be more giving/ selfless

Decorate a shoe box with xmas paper, fill with gifts and give to somewhere like the Salvation Army.

This year I told DH to buy things for a baby bank project as my Christmas gift (a hamper of gifts using a list the charity send out). I wanted a new mum to know that someone out there had thought about her and her baby. I don't want anything myself and it's a cause close to my heart. I wouldn't say this to anyone IRL.

I put extra festive foods into the food bank collection point.

Soup kitchens and volunteer centres tend do be overrun at Christmas (in my area at least). They struggle in January-February so if your looking to volunteer check when it would be most helpful.

We tend to do extra donations to the food bank, Trussel Trust usually have donation points in supermarkets so it's very easy.

We have quite a few local voluntary groups who will often run a Christmas appeal via social media and ask for specific items for families/individuals they are supporting. So Facebook etc can be a good place to start.

Buy a few treats for the food bank.
Buy selection boxes for young people in a local housing project.

This year, I have sent new clothes to the clothing bank for their Christmas gift appeal and extra to the food bank. I will also give a voucher to a friend who is struggling.

In years gone by, I have donated to Shelter or other charities locally. One year I supported a local family in dire need when specific things were requested by supporters via Facebook. I also donated a couple of food bundles to my DCs school so they could gift to families they know are struggling. Smaller gestures are buying Christmas cards from charities etc.

I think the best help is via the established banks and the smaller appeals locally.

* I will preface this with I am one (single) person/family so my view is my own personal experience*

Today I received a food bank parcel from my childs nursery.

I absolutely appreciate everything I have been given. What made our parcel special was some Christmas treats. Of course, we need beans, pasta, tinned food etc.... but that little thing that didn't make me feel like I was just feeding them.... that chocolate santa, little Xmas pudding. I even received some lovely cordial that I would have never have bought myself (we are going to make 'reindeer juice' Xmas eve from this)
& toiletries.... some soap, bubble bath. All mums need a peaceful bath when they can.

What I'm trying to say is, yes we need the basics, of course, please keep donating them if you can.... but those little things like a beautiful smelling candle, a festive choc, a activity book/crayons help us so much too.

My child received some bubbles in our parcel.... we had the most fun in the bath with it! Even after the water went a little cold & he threw a tantrum because he didn't want to get out!

From someone who directly receives these things... thank you.

Donate.
We tithe and our favourite charities are Water Aid and Mercy Ships.

https://www.wateraid.org/uk/donate/donate-to-wateraid-today?id=RA/TPP/01A&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_f39sOSgwMVWotQBh0t6QtyEAAYASAAEgKmUvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.mercyships.org.uk/

We look after an old lady all year round. She used to live in our village but recently moved to a bigger town. She will be coming to lunch on Christmas Day.

https://www.mercyships.org.uk/

Food Banks are often overwhelmed with donations at this time of year and storage is a real issue ... please think about your local FB towards the end of January when stocks run low.

Lovely to hear that.
Wishing you and your son many similarly fun moments together over Xmas and an easier time in 2024.

I've paid for 2 people to have a Xmas lunch. They have a scheme at the Toby Carvery chain. I can't remember if it's £5 or £5.50. You just pay with your bill. I also buy a few festive bits for local food bank. Last week tin of shortbread, tin of ham, chocolates. They collect them from Morrisons so it's convenient to buy with your shopping.

There's a young homeless lad sleeping in our multi storey car park, I will help him more

I'm on nights in a men's prison so I'm helping every man missing his family... they are human....standing at a cell door at 3am talking a man out of self harm/dying is a skill !

I add to the food bank. It not just the usual of long life milk and beans but some decent treats. Our rural town does the food bank really well at this time of year.

I have volunteered to have a Family Friend with a local community group. They’re a massive concern and help with children, housing etc.
I was given a family in need to buy gifts for Christmas. It’s all anonymous but was given few details on a family and what they needed/like so I chose gifts for them.

I support a charity called Cocoon which provides a fantastic Christmas Day dinner and get together for young care leavers.

It's shocking how young care leavers are pretty much abandoned when they leave care and although I wasn't in care myself, both my parents died when I was at uni so I know how hard it is to be a young adult who doesn't "belong" anywhere at Christmas.

Lidl has a toy collection for new toys to be gifted out to those in need. It closes TODAY! You can buy a toy in store or from anywhere else.

https://www.lidl.co.uk/c/toy-bank/s10032371