A calendar that shows you care

We are thrilled that The Press has launched a Reverse Advent Calendar foodbank drive this month to help us boost our stocks to meet demand in the New Year.

It is the third year The Press has run the drive and the response and donation of food from readers has got bigger and bigger for each one.

This is such a smart way of targeting help that our clients need desperately in the post-Christmas period when most other people’s attention has drifted to holidays and relaxation.

We appreciate this support so much.

The calendar was launched in The Press in Saturday’s edition. You can download a copy of it here.

People are encouraged to pin up the calendar and its gift ideas, grab a box and pop a donation inside every day in December, with the full boxes then coming to us in time for January.

Reverse advent boxes can be taken to our reception every weekday from 8.30am to 5pm (we are not open weekends or public holidays). The Press invites supporters to snap a photo of themselves and their box and send it to reporters@press.co.nz.

In a calendar launch story, The Press interviewed our Foodbank and financial team leader Kirsty and one of our financial mentors Cath.

Kirsty said a surge in need began about this time of year last year and “it’s just carried on through the 12 months, there’s not been really a reprieve.”

Cath said many families she worked with could no longer afford basics and one client found they were still short $200 a week, even after they juggled and saved costs wherever they could.

KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal applications had spiked and families were putting groceries and fuel on “buy now, pay later” systems like Afterpay.

The donations will help us help families who spiralled even deeper into debt while trying to get through Christmas.