The 'reverse Advent calendar' challenge
Make a foodbank donation for each day of Advent
This Advent, take part in the 'reverse Advent calendar' challenge. Support your local foodbank and the work of charities such as Trussell (formerly The Trussell Trust).
Winter is usually the busiest time for foodbanks. Last winter alone, charity and foodbank network Trussell distributed 600,000 food parcels. They expect similar will be needed this year.
With Trussell's guidance, we've put together a 'reverse Advent calendar' to support the essential work it does, and the work of other initiatives like it. For each day it suggests an item to donate to your local foodbank or drop into your supermarket's collection box.
Amid all the chaos of consumerism that the festive season entails, here's a way to give to others in a meaningful way this December. It's a fun and pro-active way to introduce kids to charitable donations too. What's more, see how to save on the items you donate.
How to save on your donations
Prices last checked on Monday 2 December
Day 1: Tesco's 400g Christmas pudding is £2.50 for Clubcard members (normally (£3.25).
Day 2: Asda does an own-brand biscuit assortment for £1.40 – the cheapest around.
Day 3: The cheapest mince pies around are £1.25 at Aldi and Lidl. (Plus see MSE's 2022 mince pie taste test for MSE HQ's budget winner.)
Day 4: Spices can be up to 80% cheaper in supermarkets' world food sections.
Day 5: You can get 69p off a 420ml Innocent Juicy Water (normally £1.69) from Sainsbury's via cashback. Upload your receipt to the Shopmium app and scan the product barcode by Tuesday 10 December. See more like this in Supermarket coupons.
Day 6: Tesco Clubcard holders can get a 550g tub of Celebrations for £3.95 (normally £6).
Day 7: Morrisons have various deals on packets of nuts, including two for £1.50, and extra points for those with a Morrisons More card or app.
Day 8: Donate to The Hygiene Bank via Boots stores. We've seen toothbrushes for as little as 79p at Savers.
Day 9: You can claim a 'free' £2 packet of 'Insane Kane' crisps from Tesco via cashback through Hashting. Consider donating this, or one of the other current Supermarket coupons on offer.
Day 10: Save on tampons and pads by switching to own-brand. Our table compares costs.
Day 11: The cheapest UHT milk we've seen currently is 69p at Sainsbury's.
Day 12: Tinned fruit can be up to 80% cheaper in supermarkets' world food sections.
Day 13: Asda has discounted its PG Tips, eg, a box of 80 for £2.70 (normally £3). If PG Tips is your tipple, this is the cheapest we're seeing at the moment (though of course, other brands are available).
Day 14: Pick another item from our Supermarket coupons to donate. (Just make sure it's something your local foodbank or collection point accepts.)
Day 15: Your choice. Pick a discount (or freebie if you're lucky) from the Lidl Plus app.
Day 16: Your choice. Browse the Morrisons More app and choose a discounted item to donate.
Day 17: Tinned veg can be up to 80% cheaper in supermarkets' world food sections.
Day 18: Tesco Clubcard members can get discounts on various long-life juices.
Day 19: The cheapest single can of tuna we've spotted is 55p at both Aldi and Tesco.
Day 20: Your choice. Select one of Iceland's regularly updated offers, which currently includes things like 'buy one get one free'.
Day 21: You can get £1 off a 35g packet of Olly's pretzel thins at Tesco via cashback with Hashting. See this and more like it in Supermarket coupons.
Day 22: Your choice. Pick a discount (or freebie if you're lucky) from the Lidl Plus app.
Day 23: Lidl offers 250ml Cien shower gels for 45p, or 500ml for 58p. For a wider range of scents, the Everyday range from Boots includes 250ml shower gels for 85p.
Day 24: Sainsbury's Nectar card holders can get discounts on various kinds of coffee, including sachets, pods and decaf.
The above gives you some ideas for completing the reverse Advent calendar challenge in a MoneySaving way, but it's really up to you what you decide to donate. Just contact your local foodbank to find out which items they accept and particular need.
We've lots more like this in Foodbank donation tips.
Let us know how you get on by visiting the MSE Forum (link below) and leaving a comment.
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