A FOODBANK in Andover is seeking help from residents to support those in need during Christmas.

Andover Foodbank is expecting a very high level of demand for Christmas giftboxes and Christmas hampers, and your donations can help. 

In 2021 the foodbank distributed more than 1,150 Christmas gift boxes full of toys and gifts to care workers at agencies, including Children’s Services, Yellow Brick Road Projects and Andover Young Carers, to be given to local children in need. 

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According to foodbank secretary Annie Mihell, the demand for gift boxes in 2021 was higher than in any previous year but thanks to the generosity of local people, companies, clubs and schools, and a fantastic team of volunteers all the requests from care workers were matched.  

One young carer who received the giftbox last year wrote: ‘‘I love my Christmas box, I felt very happy when I got it. I felt happy and excited to open it and very joyful thank you! I love my new things. Thanks.”

More information on how you can make and donate a Christmas gift box is available on the Andover Foodbank website together with labels and lots of ideas for gifts.

All items must be new and unused, sweets must have a use by date and list of ingredients on each individual packet (loose sweets or packets from multipacks without these cannot be distributed), and free items such as toys from restaurants and basic toiletries should not be included. 

The foodbank distributes basic toiletries separately.  

You can also donate to the project online or by texting GIFTBOX and the amount you want to donate to 70085 (eg GIFTBOX 15). Text GIFTBOXNOINFO and the amount you want to donate if you do not want us to be contacted in the future. Texts will cost your donation amount plus one standard rate message.

Christmas hampers are given to families and individuals who are struggling.  

These hampers make an enormous difference to the festive season, helping alleviate the many financial pressures and allowing people to celebrate the season rather than exist through it.  

You can donate through the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ project.  

There are 12 dates with 12 items starting on 1 November 2022 with a ‘bag for life’. You can follow 12 Days to Christmas on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram adding items on specific days at or do your shopping in one go.   

Gift boxes must be delivered to the foodbank by Monday, November 7.  

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This guarantees that care workers have time to discreetly deliver the gift boxes to families in time for Christmas.  

Hampers must be delivered by Sunday, November 27.