As the winter draws in, the cost of living crisis continues to unfold, and energy bills soar, foodbank use this Christmas will undoubtedly rise. Due to increases in both operational costs, and in the number of people seeking their provision, independent foodbanks will be under more pressure than ever to keep our communities fed.
Our Reverse Advent Calendar provides a festive and simple way to boost your local foodbank at this critical time of year. Simply download and print our PDF calendar, stick it to the fridge, grab yourself a cardboard box, and use the guide to add an item to the box each day.
Download our reverse advent calendar!
Once all (or as many as you can afford!) of the items are ticked off, drop them at your local foodbank or community pantry, using the table below to see donation drop off times. Why not get the whole family involved, and show that Christmas is about more than just receiving – it’s a time for giving too.
Our calendar is just a general guide, made up of the non-perishable food items and hygiene products that foodbanks regularly request. In order to help guide this nationwide effort, we’ve been in contact with food banks across the country to gather this information, so the campaign is as effective as possible.
The table below (updated weekly) details what extra donations would be useful, in addition to those listed in our Reverse Advent Calendar. You can also check where you should drop them off, and find out about any Christmas volunteering opportunities:
| Organisation | Where/When to Drop Off Donations | Items needed | Last Donation Date Before Christmas | Further Support? |
| Birmingham – Smethwick Foodbank | Smethwick Church Action Network Holy Trinity Community Office Church Hill Street Smethwick B67 7AH, 10am – 1pm on Wednesdays | – Tea and coffee – Tinned meat/fish – Tinned soup – Tinned fruit/ vegetables – Packet rice – Noodles – Squash – Long life juice | 14th December | Volunteers needed in the run-up to Christmas. |
| Belfast – West Belfast Foodbank | Food Warehouse Westwood Shopping Center Kennedy Way, Belfast BT11 9AP, Iceland Kennedy Shopping Center 564 – 568 Falls Road, Belfast BT11 9AE, Iceland Park Center Donegall Road Belfast BT12 6HN Conway Mill reception 5-7 Conway Street Belfast BT13 2DE. | – Christmas selection boxes/biscuits – Chocolate – Cereals – Tea, coffee – Sauces – Tinned meat/ fish, – Noodles – Biscuits, – Crisps – Cooking oil. – Toiletries – Nappies 5 & 5+ sizes. | 15th December | |
| Blackpool – Amazing Graze | Amazing Graze 44 Bolton Street, Blackpool FY1 6AA, Tuesdays 1-7pm and Thursdays – Sun 1-9pm. | – Cereal – Biscuits – Cereal bars – Marmalade – Sugar – Soup – Beans – Tinned meat | 19th December | Volunteers can call Simon Page 01253 406152 our pastoral manager Tues & Fri 10am -2pm. We have also set up Blackpool’s only self service free food store – a £5 donation will sponsor a bag of shopping for someone in need. |
| Bradford – Bradford North Foodbank | Unit 12, Inspire Business Park, Harrogate Rd, BD10 0JE, 9:30am-12:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Otherwise please give us a ring on 01274 292256 to arrange an alternative time. | – Tinned ham or chicken – Tinned halal meat – Gravy granules – Christmas pudding – Evaporated milk – Christmas cake – Christmas biscuits – Chocolates – Savoury snacks & nibbles – Hot chocolate | 2nd December | |
| Bristol – North Bristol Foodbank | Ebenezer Church, 286 Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0BA | – Insant noodles – Christmas napkins – Gravy – Cranberry sauce – Stuffing – Advent calendar – Chocolates – Alcohol free Christmas pudding/cake – Christmas crackers – Breadsticks – Instant mash – Stollen – Sponge pudding – Crackers, tinned ham – Paper plates | Early December | Email our volunteer coordinator at [email protected], for anyone interested in helping over the Christmas season. Also check out North Bristol Foodbanks own reverse advent calendar for the items specific to their needs. |
| Bristol – South and East Bristol Foodbank | BS3 Community Outlet Thursday 9.30am-12 noon. Counterslip Cares Outlet, Tuesday and Thursday 2-4pm . Fishponds outlet, Wednesday 10.30am -12pm and Friday 11.45am- 2.15pm. Kingswood Mondays 10:30am – 12:30pm. St Marks outlet on Fridays 10am- 3pm. | – Washing powder – Chocolate – Pasta sauce – Tinned fruit/ vegetables – Deodorant – Conditioner – Shaving gel – Razors – Tinned meat meals(chicken please) | For Christmas donations we are asking for them to be in by the 2nd December, for other donations the 16th December. | Online shop: https://www.givetoday.co.uk/ sebfoodbanks/ |
| Cardiff – Cardiff Foodbank | Unit G, Cardiff Bay Business Centre, Titan Road, Cardiff, CF24 5BS, Between Monday – Thursday, 9.30-13.30. | – Tinned fish – Tinned carrots – Biscuits – Long life fruit juice – Rice pudding – Instant coffee – Custard | Warehouse shuts for Christmas on Thursday 22nd December at 13.30. | |
| Cardiff – Vale Foodbank | Bethany Hall, Tennyson Road, Barry, CF62 9TN, 9:30am-12:30pm Monday – Friday | – Tinned meatballs – Tinned corned beef hash/ham – Sugar, coffee – Deodorant – Menstrual products – Box of biscuits – Tinned sponge puddings – Custard – Crisps – Christmas puddings | Ideally for Christmas items no later than 5th December. | We have our Christmas Collections taking place in Barry and Penarth Tesco on Thursday 1st Dec – Saturday 3rd Dec. Should anyone be interested in helping out for a 2 hour slot on these days or wants to be informed of upcoming opportunities – please email [email protected] |
| Cornwall – Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank | Penryn and Falmouth Foodbank, Highway House, 13-15 Church Road, Penryn, TR10 8DA | – Tinned ham – Tinned vegetables – Gravy granules – Stuffing – Cranberry sauce – Christmas pudding/cake – Tinned/packet custard – tinned cream – Tinned fruit – Fruit jelly, – Mince pies – Tins of chocolates – Savoury snacks e.g. nuts or crisps. | By the end of November. | |
| Coventry – Coventry Foodbank | The Halo Centre, Progress Way, Binley Industrial Estate, Coventry CV3 2 NT | – Selection boxes – Christmas cake/puddings (non-alcoholic) – Boxes of biscuits – Long-life fruit juice – Dried stuffing mix – Instant gravy – Rice pudding – Instant noodles | Friday 16th December. | |
| Edinburgh – Edinburgh North East Foodbank | Edinburgh NE Foodbank, 19 Stewartfield, Edinburgh, EH6 5RQ. Wednesday and Friday Mornings between 9am and 12.30pm | – Deodorant – Shaving foam – Hand soap – Tinned meat/fish – Tinned fruit/ veg – Tinned soup – Smash -Instant noodles – Rice/custard puddings – Biscuits – Sweets – Savoury snacks – Soups – Fruit juice – Squash. | Monday 19th December. | |
| Edinburgh – Edinburgh South East Foodbank | Blythswood Care SE Edinburgh Foodbank, 47 Southhouse Broadway, EH17 8AS. Items can only be dropped off during our opening hours; Mon, Tue and Thu between 10am and 1.30pm. | – Long life milk – Pasta sauce – Instant coffee – Tinned meat, – Instant noodles – Tinned custard – Toilet roll – Bars of soap | No donations after Tuesday 20th December, please. | |
| Greater Manchester – Ardwick and Longsight Foodbank | Transformation Community Resource Centre 11 Richmond Grove, Longsight M13 0LN (Behind Longsight Police Station) Monday 10:00-13:00 Tuesday 10:00-12:00 Midday Wednesday 10:00-12:00 Midday Thursday 10:00-13:00 | – Money – Festive biscuits – Soap – Deodorant – Shower gel – Toothpaste – Washing powder – Washing up liquid – Cooking oil – Tins of meat – Hot chocolate – Coffee | We can always use extra driver volunteers at any time of year and especially at Christmas. | |
| Greater Manchester – Manchester South Central Foodbank | Our food collection points are located in: Asda, 100 Princess Rd, Hulme, Manchester M15 5AS Aldi, White City Retail Park, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RP Tesco, Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0QW Co-Op, 135-141 Withington Rd, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 8EE Lidl, Chester Road, Stretford M32 0FF Tesco Express, Withington Rd, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 8FA Tesco Express, Upper Chorlton, Firswood, Manchester M16 7RN | – Tinned tuna – Tinned veg – Cereal – Veggie meals in a tin eg. mac n cheese or veggie chilli – Cordial – Mince pies (alcohol free) – Biscuits – Savoury snacks – Chocolate / sweet treats – Soup – Rice pudding – Tinned fruit -Tinned/packet custard – Tinned vegetables – Gravy – Stuffing mix – Condiments, | Yes volunteers are needed for the Tesco Food Drive: Supermarket Food Collection Event. This is the most important event of the year as our foodbank relies upon members of the public donating food items. This winter we are expecting an increase in the number of residents needing our support. | |
| Leeds – Leeds North and West Foodbank | Our warehouse is on Burley Hill: Unit 3.3 Flexspace, Burley Hill, LS4 2PU. Entrance on Argie Road. Alternatively, people are also welcome to drop items off at our supermarket collection points around Leeds, most of these can be found on our website: https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/locations/. We’re normally open Monday-Friday 9-4, but it’s always worth ringing up on the day. | – Tinned Fruit – Tinned soup – Instant mash – Treats e.g. crisps, chocolate – Long life fruit juice – Tinned custard – Tinned rice pudding – Laundry detergent – Washing up liquid – Deodorant | ||
| Leeds – Leeds South and East Foodbank | Leeds South and East Foodbank, Unit 18, Millshaw Industrial Estate, Millshaw Park Avenue, Leeds LS11 0LR, Monday to Thursday between 9.30am and 2.30pm. | – Juice – Tinned fruit/potatoes/tomatoes – Rice pudding – Custard – Tinned spaghetti – Instant noodles | 17th November for their reverse advent calendars. | Volunteers needed! Please contact our Volunteer Support Manager, Carole O’Kane, who will be happy to provide you with details about opportunities and the application process etc. Please email: caroleokane@leedssouthandeast. foodbank.org.uk |
| Leicester – Leicester South Foodbank | Regional Distribution Centre, Clarkes Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2BG | – Tinned fruit – Curry sauce – Tinned meat – Rice pudding – Custard – Tooth paste – Roll on deodorant – Washing up liquid | Volunteers needed! Especially during this busy time of year. | |
| Liverpool – North Liverpool Foodbank | St. Andrew’s Community Network, 16 Larkhill Lane, Clubmoor, Liverpool, L13 9BR, Monday-Friday, 8.30AM – 3:00PM | – Instant mash – Rice pudding – Custard – Jam – Fruit juice – Noodles – Cup-a-Soups – Seasonal/festive items and food – Menstrual products | Friday 16th December | Yes! Particularly Thursday mornings in our warehouse in the run-up to Christmas to help sort food donations/deliveries etc. Please contact: [email protected] |
| Liverpool – Wirral Foodbank | Wirral Foodbank Wirral Business Centre Unit 14, Dock Road Birkenhead Wirral CH41 1JW. We are open Mon – Thur from 10am to 1.30pm. We close for Christmas at 12pm on Thursday 22 December. | – Sugar – Tinned fish – Deodorant – Nappies (sizes 4,5,6) – Biscuits – Ttinned soup – Chocolate bars – Tinned fruit – Rice pudding – Squash – Instant mash – Tinned tomatoes – Soap – Tinned spaghetti – Washing powder/tablets – Tinned veg – Tinned meat – Washing up liquid – Custard | By the 2nd week of December. | Our focus is to eradicate the need of foodbanks, to that end we have a project called “Foodbank Plus.” We commission Citizens Advice Wirral to provide dedicate advice and support to individuals who attend our foodbank centres, with the aim of addressing the underlying cause of food poverty. |
| London – 3Food4U | Please drop off donations to any of our hubs, Balgores Estate Agents Ongar or Loughton, Sainsbury’s Debden or Ongar or call 07973166940 for collection. | – Long life milk – tinned fish and meat, tinned veg – Cooking sauces – Soup – Rice – Custard – Rice pudding – Jelly – Biscuits – Christmas puddings – Chocolates/treats | ||
| London – Hive Foodbank | St Mary’s, Hornsey Rise, Ashley Road, N19 4AD, Monday-Friday from 12-3pm, and on a Wednesday we are open till 8.30pm. We can also accept donations of fresh food on Wednesdays ahead of our sessions. | – Tinned hot dogs and – Corned beef – Tinned fruit – Tinned tuna – Peanut butter – Tinned vegetables – Pasta/curry sauces – Sweet/savoury biscuits – Hot chocolate – Sugar – Instant noodles – Instant mashed – Potato tinned pulses – Tinned or powdered desserts – Cereals and porridge oats – Toothbrushes – Menstrual pads – Household cleaning products (e.g. washing up liquid, sprays and sponges) – Plastic bags. | ||
| London – Holy Trinity Foodbank | Items can be dropped off at either of two our collection points: Londis 9-11 Ferme Park Rd, London N4 4DS, or Sainsburys Local, 175-179 Stroud Green Rd, London N4 3PZ. Items can also be donated between 1.30 and 3.30pm every Sunday at Holy Trinity Church Hall on Stapleton Hall Road next to St Aidan’s primary school (we have no postcode, but there is location information on our website www.holytrinityfoodbank.org.uk !), or by contacting us on [email protected] to arrange a convenient timeOur last session before Christmas is on Saturday 24th 1.30-3.30pm. | – Corned beef – Tinned mackerel – 1 litre bottles of cooking oil – 500g packs of sugar packets – Fancy biscuits/chocolates – Toiletries & period products – Washing up liquid – Laundry detergent (tabs or small boxes). | Our last session before Christmas is on Saturday 24th 1.30-3.30pm. | Anyone wanting to volunteer should email volunteers@holytrinity foodbank.org.uk |
| London – Hornsey Foodbank | Middle Lane Methodist Church, Middle Lane/Lightfoot Road, London N8 8NT – Wednesdays between 9 and 1.30 or 3 and 5. David Astbury’s Estate Agents, 15 Park Road, London N8 8TE – Monday to Saturday, during working hours. Philip Alexander Estate Agents, 52 High Street, London N8 7NX – Monday to Saturday, during working hours. | – Baby toiletries – Cleaning sprays – Shower gel – Instant Coffee – Hot chocolate – Biscuits and crackers – Honey – Jam – Spaghetti – Couscous – Dry lentils – Tinned sweetcorn | 14th December | Calvary Church Building, Stanley Rd, Brighton BN1 4NJ. We are open for delivery from 9.30pm to 4.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It is helpful if you drop us an email confirming when it is coming so we can plan accordingly. |
| London – Rackets Cubed | 166 Roehampton Lane SW15 4HR or contact [email protected], on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. | – Sunflower – Vegetable oil – Washing powder – Squash – Tinned meat – Basmati rice – Toothpaste – Ketchup. | 15th December. | We are looking for additional volunteers during the school on holidays, for our Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 3 hour slots. |
| London – The Outside Project LGBTIQ+ Centre | Unit 1, 52 Lant Street London SE1 1RB | – Long life milk – Oat milk– Tea / Coffee – Cheese / vegan cheese – Tinned fruit / veg – Tinned beans and tomatoes – Tinned meat/fish – Tinned soup – Cupboard store eg: rice, pasta, herbs, spices – Instant snacks eg: pot noodle, pasta pots – Healthy snacks – Sweet or savoury snacks – Fruit juice – Squash | Donations will be added to our Solidarity Box. | |
| London – Waterloo Foodbank | South London Warehouse, St Margaret the Queen, Barcombe Avenue, Streatham, SW2 3BH | Any long-life, in-date items in their original packaging. We also have a list if you would like to donate toiletries or Christmas gifts: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ ls/2CX5RPU7S76ZL/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex | 2pm on Friday 9th December. | If you’d like to volunteer, we have volunteer slots on 2nd and 3rd December. |
| London – Westminster Foodbank | Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6BS, access to the premises is via the passageway between the Chapel building and newsagents, there is a buzzer on the right hand side by the iron gate. | – Kitchen towel – Christmas puddings – Minced pies – Box of biscuits/chocolate – Powdered milk – Hot chocolate – Washing powder – Washing up liquid – Kitchen towels | Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am-4pm, it is helpful if we know when to expect you. | Thursday 8th December. |
| Loughborough – Loughborough Area Foodbank | New Life Community Church 2 De Montfort Close Loughborough LE11 4RL, 9.30am – 12am Monday to Friday. | – Ambient Christmas items eg. stuffing mix – Mince pies – Box of biscuits – Nuts – Confectionery – Tinned fish – Breakfast cereal – Fruit juice – Instant mash – Tinned veg/potatoes – Tinned meat – Christmas pudding/cake (non alcoholic) – Rice pudding | The earlier the better, but the last day for drop offs before Christmas is Thursday 22nd December. | The best thing people can do for the foodbank this winter is what we call microvolunteering which involves encouraging friends and neighbours to collect food and then bring it to the foodbank once collected. |
| Newcastle – Gateshead Foodbank | Unit 52 Team Valley Business Centre, Off Earlsway NE11 0QH, Monday and Wednesday 9:00am -11:45pm and Tuesday 7pm – 8:15pm. | – Noodles – Cereal – Juice – Tinned: veg/fruit/meat/fish/custard, steamed puddings, sugar – Biscuits – Toiletries – Nappies – Christmas items for hampers from November: tins of chocolates, sweets, tinned ham, cracker biscuits, boxes biscuits, jars pickles, crackers, Christmas cake etc. | The first week of December. | Volunteers would be welcome at our Tesco collection at Trinity Gateahsed from the 1st-3rd December for anyone is interested. |
| Newcastle – Hospitality and Hope | Hampden Street Operations Centre, South Shields, NE33 4JR | – Pasta/curry sauce – Biscuits – Tinned meat – Tinned fruit – Rice pudding – Custard – Tuna | Preferably on Friday 9th December with a pre-Christmas date of Friday 16th December. | |
| Newcastle – Newcastle West End Foodbank | If you are able to bring them to the Foodbank, we are 331 Benwell Lane. The best post code to use is NE15 6TB which is the Tyne View Dental Practice, we are directly opposite, behind the bus stop wall. If you are struggling do let us know and we can try to arrange a collection. | – Curry sauce – Tinned tuna – Tinned fruit – Long life milk rice – Instant mash – Instant custard – Sanitary pads For Christmas we would love to receive small Christmas puddings, mince pies and small Christmas cakes. | 16th December. | |
| North East – Wansbeck Valley Food Bank | Wansbeck Valley Foodbank, Northgate Hospital, Morpeth, NE61 3BP, weekdays, from 10am to 2.30pm for drop offs. | – Tinned meats – Tinned vegetables – Peanut butter, nutella, – Tinned puddings, – Tinned fruit, – Custard, – Deodorant, – Christmas treats such as crisps, snacks, chocolate etc. – We also ask folks to consider a purchase for those who are gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan. | Ideally no later than the beginning of December. | |
| North West – Carlisle Foodbank | Unit 4, Tower Court, W Tower St, Carlisle CA3 8QT, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 9.30AM-3:00PM. | – Instant mash – Cereal – Tinned meat – Pot noodles – Biscuits – Tinned fruit,/veg – Tinned spaghetti – Microwave rice | Ideally before mid December. | |
| North West – Pantry Parcels | St. Thomas’ Church Warrington Rd. Ashton-in-Makerfield WN4 9PL | Tea, coffee, sugar, UHT milk, cerea, tins of meat/fish, chocolate treats for hampers (both the pantry and pantry parcels are giving out Christmas hampers), biscuits, tinned fruit and veg, cup a soup, snack pots. | We are also opening up as a Warm Space for 12 hours a week when we will provide hot soup and other refreshments for those who cannot afford to heat their homes. | |
| Scotland – Bute Oasis | 6 Argly Street, Rothesay | Christmas presents for kids (both boys and girls) from new born to 16 years. | We’re always looking for volunteers. If anyone is interested please just come in and ask. | |
| Scotland – Moray Food Plus | We have various drop-off points across Moray with the main ones in Asda and Tesco – contact the office for more information. | – Tinned puddings – Tinned hotdogs – Tuna – Tinned fruit – Baked beans – Tinned spaghetti – Toiletries – Biscuits – Pasta sauce – Curry sauce – Tea/coffee | For anything specifically Christmas related please drop off by Friday 16th December | We look for extra volunteers to help sort donations – please contact the office if interested. |
| Sheffield – Burngreave Foodbank | Rock Christian Centre, 177 Spital Hill, S4 7LF, 10-4 on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. | – Christmas treats: puddings, cakes, chocolates, nibbles etc – Tinned ham or salmon, – Instant mashed potato, – Long-life fruit juice, – Tinned cream – Tin openers, – Tinned veg/fruit – Biscuits – Cereal | We will remain open until 23rd December so can receive donations until then, but the sooner we receive the food, the better. | |
| South Coast – New Forest Basics Bank | Cannon Street East Car Park, Lymington SO41 9BR, 9am-2pm Monday to Friday. | – Bags of nuts – Bottles of non- alcoholic drink – Bags of sweets – Cranberry sauce – Mints – Christmas cake/yule log – Chocolate coins – Cheese biscuits – Tins of ham – Festive biscuits – Chocolate orange – Tins of salmon – Cheese straws – Hot chocolate – Mince pies – Retail gift card – Crisps – Sponge pudding – Christmas pudding – Christmas crackers. | 9th December | |
| Sunderland – South Tyneside Foodbank | Hampden Street Operations Centre, South Shields, NE33 4JR | – Biscuits – Tinned meat – Tinned fruit – Rice pudding – Custard – Tuna. | Preferably by Friday 9th December with a pre-Christmas date of Friday 16th December. | |
| York – Wetherby & District Foodbank | Either the warehouse – Wetherby and District Foodbank Unit 715b Thorp Arch Trading Estate Thorp Arch Wetherby LS23 7BJ, or at collection points in the following locations: Morrisons Wetherby, Coop Ainsty Road Wetherby, Sainsburys Local Wetherby, Tesco Express Collingham, and most local churches within our service area. Between 10am and 12pm on Mondays or between 2pm and 4pm on Thursdays at the warehouse. | – Long life fruit juice – Tinned fruit -UHT milk We are also very short of household cleaning products – for example multipurpose cleaning sprays, washing powder, fabric softener. | For Christmas-specific items, as early as possible. Advent calendars we need by by mid-November. | Yes! In December w are recruiting volunteers for: 1. Tesco Christmas Collection – at Clifton Moor in York, on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December. We ask volunteers to commit to a 2.5 hour shift starting at 9am, 11am, 1pm or 3pm each day. 2. Wetherby Dickensian Christmas Market – We will have a tombola stall to raise funds for the foodbank at the Dickensian Christmas Market in Wetherby on Sunday 11th December. We would welcome anyone interest in helping to run the stall to get in touch. |
| York – York Foodbank | Warehouse: Unit 5 Bleriot Way Clifton Moor York YO30 4WU, or supermarket collecting boxes at Askham Bar Tesco, Monks Cross Asda and Waitrose Foss Islands Rd. Tuesday & Thursday mornings. | – Christmas puddings – Christmas cakes – Boxes of chocolates – Boxes of biscuits – Savoury snacks – Toiletry gift sets (male & female) – Instant mash – Powdered milk – Sponge puddings (not refrigerated) – Jars of jam (not homemade) | 9th December |
If you, or a friend or colleague, are a volunteer at your local foodbank and would like to have your organisation’s exact donation requests listed on this page, please do get in touch via our contact page, or email Katie, our nationwide partnerships manager at [email protected].
