CHRISTMAS!!! Yes, we know it is too early for the ‘C’ word for some of you, but Christmas really is just around the corner and here at Swale Foodbank, we are super excited to launch our Hampers Of Hope Christmas campaign!
Each year, we partner with hundreds of people all across our community who want to help someone else who is having a tough time, by putting together a hamper of Christmas goodies that we then pass on to nominated households. All nominations come in from the amazing agencies we work with throughout the year, week in week out.
Making a Hamper of Hope is simple – get a cardboard box and decorate it in any way you choose: wrapping paper, tissue paper, tinsel, ribbon, Christmassy stickers – anything you like. Once decorated, fill the box with 12-20 of the following Christmassy items:
Mince Pies
Biscuits For Cheese
Christmas Cake
Pringles/Doritos/Crisps
Matchmakers
Gravy Granules
Box Of Chocolates
Stuffing
Shortbread
Pickled Onions/Beetroot
Gingerbread
Pretzels
Chocolate Santa/Reindeer
Cranberry Sauce
Christmas Pudding
Popcorn
Box Of Biscuits
Chocolate Orange
Candy Canes
Trifle Mix
Hot Chocolate
After Eights/Matchmakers
Yule Log
Selection Box
Marshmallows
Chocolate Coins
Once this is done – congratulations! Your Hamper Of Hope is complete! 
We are asking everyone making a Hamper Of Hope this year to fill out this simple form so that we can keep you informed if Covid changes our plans and also so that we know how many hampers are coming in this year.
Here are some quick DO’s and DON’T’s for you:
DO include all of the family when choosing items for the hamper you are making. Lots of our regular hamper donors make this one of their Christmassy family activities – the saying ‘It is better to give than to receive’ really is true and what better way to teach your little ones than through creating and giving a hamper! DON’T include any items that need to be kept in a fridge or a freezer. Some of these hampers may not go out for up to 2 weeks so please bear this in mind when choosing items. DO feel free to include small non-food items such as crackers, small toys, games, toiletries, hat/scarf/gloves etc DON’T include any alcohol or anything containing alcohol as we will need to remove this before giving out the hamper. DO remember to fill in our short form so we know how many hampers you are making.We are having one main day of hampers coming in which will be on Saturday 11th December from 10am through to 4pm. This will be at the same hall as hampers were donated last year. The address is:
Holy Trinity Parish Hall
Church Street
Sittingbourne
ME10 3EG
You can arrive at any time between 10am-4pm but please be aware you will need to wear a face mask when you come in and we also ask that you observe social distancing from others. We don’t want anyone getting ill over Christmas!
So that’s it! Our Hampers Of Hope Christmas campaign is officially launched! 
Now it is over to you, the incredibly generous community who amaze us year after year as the number of hampers coming in goes up and up! 
