Key to Life Foodbank has launched its annual Christmas appeal asking the generous South Tyneside community to help it ‘Make Christmas Special’ for struggling local families, and individuals, as more people struggle to even afford the basics they need to live.
Last year, Key to Life distributed gifts to 497 children and young people, helping 240 families, and provided 350 emergency food parcels to people facing hunger and poverty and it anticipates an even greater need for support this year.
The charity hopes to sprinkle some much-needed Christmas magic, alongside vital donations of essentials, as it anticipates another spike in demand due to the continued cost of living crisis.
The foodbank is once again appealing for donations of Christmas fare and festive treats, to complement its emergency food parcels and make the season that bit brighter for those struggling to put food on the table. Whatever people can spare will be most appreciated.
Key to Life is also requesting donations of new and unwrapped toys and gifts, and vouchers for older children, so families who are unable to afford presents can still experience the joy and excitement of Christmas morning.
For those unable to get down to the foodbank in person, Key to Life has a handy Amazon wish list set up with a range of gifts for children of all ages to choose from which will be delivered directly to the charity.
Donations of new, or good quality pre-loved, children’s onesies and dressing gowns are most welcome too, to make it a cosier Christmas all round.
To allow sufficient time to get to those most in need before the big day, Christmas food and toy donations should be dropped off before Friday 6 December. Any spare gift bags and wrapping paper would also be most appreciated.
Key to Life is open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and located inside Boldon Lane Library, postcode NE34 0LZ.
If you are a family with children aged 16 and under who would like to benefit from help with food and presents, please click here to complete an online application form , deadline midday Friday 6 December. Gifts will be allocated week commencing Monday 9 December on a collection-only basis.
There are also several ways to donate financially this Christmas:
- Online: keycommunity.org.uk/donate
- By cheque: Please make payable to ‘Key Community’ and post to: Key Community, 116 Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BA.
- By bank transfer: Please transfer to ‘Key Community’ at Unity Trust Bank, Sort code: 60-83-01, Account no: 20071815.
- By text:Text YULE followed by any whole pound amount between £1 and £20 to 70480 to give that amount (e.g. text ‘YULE5’ to donate £5). Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message)
You can make your financial gift worth an extra 25% by Gift Aiding your donation. Simply complete and return a Gift Aid form downloadable from Key’s website here.
Christmas is Key to Life’s busiest time of the year and additional volunteers are always most appreciated. If you find yourself with some free time on your hands and want to give something back by ‘elfing out’ at the foodbank over the festive period they’d love to hear from you: DM the Key to Life Foodbank Facebook page or give them a call on 07833 613 393 during opening hours.
You can also show your support for the charity by sending unique, heartfelt personalised charity cards or charity e-cards from Making A Difference Cards. There is a huge array to choose from including photo upload cards, digital game and puzzle cards, single cards and multipacks.
With a minimum donation of £1 per card and the choice of displaying the donation in the card or increasing the amount and letting the recipient know it is in lieu of a gift, it really is the perfect choice for the person who has everything. Shop via gb.makingadifference.cards selecting ‘Key Community’ as your chosen charity.
Jo Benham Brown, Business Development and Communities Manager at Key, said:
“Our ‘Make Christmas Special’ appeal is an opportunity for people in our communities to embrace the spirit of Christmas and spread some seasonal cheer by giving to local families and individuals left without enough money to live on.”
We are incredibly grateful for our public’s generosity over the years and hope our appeal will bring some respite to those who are struggling the most and let them know that someone is thinking about them and that they are not alone this festive season.”
For more information about Key to Life’s Christmas Appeal: keycommunity.org.uk/christmas-appeal