08/11/2021
My name is Cindy Lambert and I have volunteered to be a coordinator for the Reverse Advent Calendar Sydney in the Northern Beaches area. This is my first year as a coordinator so learning as I go but I just love this concept and can't wait to be involved and share the community spirit!
2021 was a year no one expected so let's finish it off with a sprinkle of kindness, generosity and joy! Do something different this Christmas!
What is a Reverse Advent Calendar?
Unlike a regular Advent Calendar where the focus is on receiving a treat every day the Reverse Advent Calendar takes the focus off receiving and places the focus on giving to others. Ideally, starting on 1 December through to 20 December.
How does it work?
A Reverse Advent Calendar begins as an empty box. For 20 days in the lead up to Christmas you place one item (non-perishable food, toiletries, Christmas treats) into the box. After 20 days your filled Reverse Advent Calendar is dropped off to either North Sydney or Forestville where it is distributed by the Salvos or a Foodbank to people in our immediate community who are experiencing food insecurity.
Is food insecurity an actual problem?
Yes! It really is! 1 in 6 Australian adults haven’t had enough to eat in the past year and 1.2 million Australian children have gone hungry in the last year. And yes, COVID has made it even worse.
How do our boxes help?
Each box is taken by the Salvos or a Foodbank and given to families in need just in time for Christmas. This means that families don’t have to worry as much about feeding their families and even have enough money to buy their children Christmas presents.
I have heard that last year, so many struggling families spoke of what a huge blessing the boxes were, and how it reminded them that they are not forgotten. Hope! Joy! Love!
How can you be involved?
Email [email protected] to pick up or arrange delivery of a box - then start adding items. Get the family involved too. Share photos with us of your box filling up.
Then on the 20th December, drop the filled boxes off to North Sydney or Forestville and I’ll take it from there. I will post photos and images as they come to me to keep everyone inspired ❤️
Together we can all make a difference this Christmas!
