On 1st December, we’re launching our 12 Days of Giving ‘reverse advent calendar’ campaign. The campaign will provide food, clothes and toiletries to people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness in Nottingham.
We’d love for you to get involved. The idea is that whilst opening the door of your own advent calendar at home, why not also donate an item from our Christmas wishlist to those most in need.
The suggested items are made up of some of our most-needed things, but they are just a guide! If you’d prefer to donate something different, please choose something from our full list.
Reverse advent calendar items
Day one: £1 coin
It costs us about £1 to provide a cup of tea and a hot shower for people who are homeless.
Day two: Socks
We give out warm, dry socks to people who are rough sleeping.
Day three: Toothbrushes & toothpaste
We give out toothbrushes and toothpaste to people who are homeless and enable them to freshen up at our support centre.
Day four: Jogging bottoms (new or pre-loved)
Jogging bottoms are our most-requested item, because of their warmth and practicality.
Day five: New underwear
We’re after new boxer shorts and ladies’ underwear. When people arrive at our Winter Shelter, we often provide a new set of clothes. Many people come to us with nothing.
Day six: Box of cereal
Our Winter Shelter provides breakfast for the people staying in our Winter Shelter.
Day seven: Biscuits
Emmanuel House gets through a lot of biscuits! We offer a cup of tea and a biscuit to everyone that comes to the centre and our Winter Shelter.
Day eight: Rice pudding
Rice pudding is a practical dessert at the Winter Shelter because it can be popped in the microwave and is ready in no time.
Day nine: Greggs voucher
We’d like to give out Greggs vouchers to people who are homeless, so that they can get a hot drink and a hot meal when Emmanuel House is closed. You can buy them from your local Greggs shop or order them online.
Day ten: Scarves, hats or gloves
We give out a lot of scarves, hats and gloves to people who are rough sleeping over winter.
Day eleven: Pot noodles, pasta pot or cup-a-soup
Instant meals like these are ideal for people staying in emergency accommodation like hotels, which don’t have cooking facilities.
Day twelve: Tinned vegetables or meat
Our wonderful team of volunteers cook a free meal every week day lunchtime using ingredients that are donated by our supporters.
How to donate your reverse advent calendar to Emmanuel House
- Pop your items into a box and see your collection grow through the 12 days of Christmas.
- All our items are listed on our Amazon Clothes Wishlist and our Amazon Food Wishlist if you’d like to order them online.
- Why not club together your colleagues, friends, family or neighbours to build a bumper box?
- Bring the box to Emmanuel House before Friday 23rd December (don’t worry if you want to carrying on collecting over Christmas, we’ll be open to accept donations in the first week of January.
- Take a photo of your 12 Days Of Giving box and share on social media (don’t forget to tag us!) – we’d love to encourage others to take part in the campaign and join us in supporting people who are homeless in our city.
Emmanuel House relies on donations from individuals, schools, fundraising and businesses to continue providing much-needed support and services to homeless and vulnerably housed people in Nottingham. Read more about our how we support people.
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