A Sheffield charity has launched a Christmas food hamper appeal for vulnerable elderly people this week.
Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) is asking the public to put one non-perishable food item into a parcel every day until 24 December, as part of a ‘reverse advent calendar’.
Ericka Hill, Communications and Marketing Officer, said: “Last year we were overwhelmed by the kindness of the public who donated many hampers and tins of food. In fact, we had enough food to support our services up until the summer.”
“Fantastic support”
The charity, which works with governing bodies around Sheffield, will give the parcels to people over the age of 65 in Sheffield, many of whom are isolated and struggle financially in times of need.
Their Hospital to Home scheme supports over 3,600 older people throughout the year, picking people up from hospital in the charity’s own vehicles and providing food hampers when they arrive home.
On a recent referral, the Yorkshire Ambulance service praised the charity when staff member Julia Walker delivered a parcel to a man returning to an empty house. They said: “That’s perfect, this gentlemen had nothing. Fantastic support.”
A Morrisons store in Hillsborough has also donated non-perishable food items for the reverse advent calendar campaign.
Huge thank you to our local @Morrisons #hillsborough for the kind donation of food for our #reverseadventcalendar campaign. Helping to support older people in #sheffield this winter. #community pic.twitter.com/khmZJy7vDm
— SCCCC (@sheffield4c) November 26, 2021
Ericka Hill said: “We love the idea of an advent calendar and how nice it is for each day of December to open a window and get something for yourself.
“But Christmas is about giving, so it’s a nice idea that you’re not just receiving, you are giving too.”
You can see the full list of items required on SCCCC’s website here.
To donate a hamper, call 0114 2505293 to arrange a drop-off slot to the SCCCC office on Savile Street East, Sheffield.
