Countdown to Christmas with this year’s reverse advent calendar

Published: 10 November 2023

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance is asking citizens to support those in need as they countdown to Christmas this year with a reverse advent calendar. 

Working in partnership with Derby County Community Trust and Derby City Council, The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA) has re-launched its reverse advent calendar scheme, asking citizens to donate one item of food a day for 25 days. 

Last Christmas, because of the generosity of local people and organisations, DF4TA was able to distribute over 2,000 food parcels to households across Derby, making a huge difference to those in need. DF4TA was established in March 2020 to help those who were struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The alliance is part of the Community Hub, which is made up of several Derby-based businesses and organisations including Community Action Derby and Derby City Council.

While DF4TA was initially a short-term project, it has evolved into a long-term solution to help those in need in Derby. The Food 4 Thought Alliance currently partners with 13 food banks across the city.

All items received through the reverse advent calendars will be split evenly between the 13 food banks, adding to the 7,647 food parcels already donated between May and August this year. 

It’s easy to get involved. From Monday 13 November to Thursday 7 December, simply collect the items shown on the donation list then deliver the items in a box to one of the following locations:

• Harrison’s Hub at Derby County Football Club on Wednesday 6 December between 12-3pm and Thursday 7 December from 4-6pm
• Morrisons, Wheatcroft Way, DE21 4RY during the store’s opening hours
• Asda, Arleston Lane, Sinfin, DE24 3DS during store opening hours

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Customer Inclusion said:

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance is a lifeline for many as we move into the winter months. We know that many families who are already struggling because of the cost-of-living crisis face additional pressures in the run up to Christmas, so I’m really pleased that we’re able to offer additional support. I’d encourage everyone who can to get involved with this year’s reverse advent calendar and support those in need this Christmas.

Paul Brookhouse, Senior Manager, The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance said: 

Support through the reverse advent calendar makes a huge difference to us at this time of the year as demand typically increases and is made worse still by the current cost of living crisis. Please do what you can to help – your help is so appreciated by us and those that we support.

Simon Carnall, Head of Community, Derby County Community Trust said:

We are thrilled to be supporting the reverse advent calendar again this year after the resounding success of the previous two years that we’ve worked with the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance on the campaign.

It’s the perfect way to support our local food banks by encouraging fans to donate throughout the festive season, and the amount of food we collect makes such a difference to families. We can’t wait to reopen our collection point on 6 and 7 December and see if we can collect more donations than ever before.

The full list of items to donate is available on the Derby Food 4 Thought website

Community