GIVING is better than receiving, the old saying goes, and one dale church is hoping residents will be generous as it launches a drive to increase foodbank donations.
The Influence Church, based in Barnard Castle and Richmond, has created a reverse advent calendar to encourage people give food and every day items during advent.
Suz Gregory, community manager for the Influence Church, said: “We had a lot of success last year when we launched the reverse advent. This year we have made suggestions for items on each of the dates.
“It includes requests for things like UHT milk as it is full of nutrients and has a long shelf life, especially when we are only open in Barnard Castle once a week. Normally we ask for food items, but we have added things like shampoo and shower gel as these are essential items.”
This year the church has produced a printed sheet with the days of the advent listed.
On each day an every day item is suggested for donation. Items listed on the calendar include tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned soup, pasta, sandwich fillings, jam, packet noodles, sweets or biscuits, curry sauce, cereal and tinned meats.
Ms Gregory said: “We’ve had so much support from businesses and locals in Barnard Castle – it’s great and we know there are more and more shops which have baskets for the donations. People are very generous at Christmas and these items makes all the difference.”
Goods can be dropped into the Influence Church, in Galgate, on Friday, December, 21, and Friday, December 28, between 3pm and 5pm. For details go to www.influencechurch.co.uk/storehouse
