In just under a month many of us will start opening an Advent calendar, giving us a surprise treat each day.  As a church, this Christmas we are supporting Caring Hands, an Evesham-based charity that helps those in need, and as part of our support we’ll be following a Reverse Advent Calendar. 

What’s this, you ask?  The idea is that instead of opening a window and receiving a treat – such as a chocolate – each day we put something aside for Caring Hands.  The ‘something’ we are collecting includes non-perishable goods, toiletries and household items that would help those who have limited resources.

We are starting a bit earlier than Advent (our reverse calendar runs from Thursday 14 November until Sunday 8 December) so that Caring Hands can use our donations in food boxes and hampers they distribute over the Christmas period.

We’d love as many as possible to join us in this initiative.  We have a suggested shopping list, but if you can’t collect everything it doesn’t matter – every item goes some way towards helping those who are struggling in one way of another.  Ideally, tins with ring pulls are far better as they are easier to open and many people do not always have access to a tin opener.

There is a box in the church lobby for leaving items – you may want to do this weekly, fortnightly or bring it all in at the end of the collecting period. We will be taking donated items to Caring Hands on a regular basis throughout the period.

It may be that you would like to support Caring Hands with a financial donation. Please use this Gift Aid form. If you hand this in an envelope to one of the church deacons, we will make sure it goes to Caring Hands.

You might also like to see some recent information from Caring Hands about how they are helping meet the needs of the vulnerable in the area. 

On behalf of Caring Hands, thank you for all your support.  Happy collecting!