Reverse Advent 

   






































As you may know the last few years we have been running the Reverse Advent Calendar in the run up to Christmas. This is where we put aside an item of food each day over a few weeks, these then are combined and redistributed over a number of hampers. These hampers are then delivered to people in the community around our church who may find Christmas a financially difficult time of year. The items could be a  tin (soup/vegetables/chilli/fruit/pies etc) a packet (pasta/breakfast cereal/jelly/crisps) items of toiletries (toothpaste, nappies, toilet roll, shower gel), a jar (jam/cooking sauce/hot dogs etc) and gifts for adults, youth or children (gloves/books/games/toys). Ideally we would like a mix of some meal essentials and some nice Christmas treats such as chocolates or mince pies (please check best before dates). Last year our church family was incredibly generous and we distributed 36 hampers.

This year we are also partnering with the Haven project, which is a homeless charity here in Whitstable. The young people will be making up a bags of essentials and treats for the homeless and these will be delivered to the Haven Project to distribute. Items particularly useful for the homeless are thermos flasks, underwear, toiletries, torches with batteries, ring pull tins, hats, gloves and scarves and wrapped chocolates and sweets.

This year has been tough and we know that many families are struggling, so we would love to be able to give out even more hampers to bless our neighbours. If you are able to help please could you start putting aside an item as often as you are able to, many shops have offers so maybe you could donate the ‘free’ item to the hampers? The items can then be dropped off at the Christian Centre during the week leading up to the 19th of December. They can be sorted and delivered the following week. If getting them to the Christian Centre will be a problem for you then please contact Andy or Georgina Hedley-Smith or Becky in the office so that we can arrange to collect them from you.

Many thanks

Andy and Georgina