Christmas brings out the best in people.
A charity in Plymouth is asking people to help families in crisis during the holiday season by donating food as part of a ‘reverse calendar’ initiative.
As of today (1 December), donation points will be opened across the city, where people can drop off edible goods of all kinds.
At the end of each day, the food will be collected by Provide Devon and handed out to families who might otherwise not have a meal to enjoy this month.
Those who wish to donate can by swing by libraries, most Co-op stores in Plymouth and local businesses, which are acting as donation points.
‘We are like an ambulance service for families forced to go hungry, working with official services like the NHS who identify people in crisis,’ charity manager, Ayesha Cross, tells Plymouth Live.
‘They contact and we then deliver a package of food as soon as possible, including other essentials such as toiletries where we can.
‘The people we help have fallen into crisis due to circumstances out of their control. They might have suffered an injury, lost a job, become homeless or fled domestic violence.
‘They may not be able to feed their children, let along themselves.’
She added: ‘Nobody should be forced to go hungry, least of all at Christmas when demand for our services is often at its highest.’
‘Please, please donate food if you can to our reverse advent calendar. The donation points will be in obvious places at shops across Plymouth and by donating you will be making a real difference to a family’s life this Christmas.’
The crisis parcels will usually include items such as milk, cheese and bread, as well as fruits and vegetables, tinned products and some toiletries.
Trusted organisations – or, referral agents – will also get in touch with Provide Devon and tell them of any families they believe are struggling, and the charity then aims to provide a parcel within 24 hours.
‘We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our supporters across Plymouth this year,’ Ayesha said.
‘Without you too many families would be forced to go hungry.
‘Sadly though we are in constant need of support and I’d urge everyone reading this to consider whether you can spare anything at all to help those in crisis.’
The initiative is welcomed, especially when you consider that food banks in the UK handed out a record-breaking number of emergency parcels in the past six months.
And if people don’t have time to drop off food, there is also the option to donate money directly to the charity on its website.
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