Half a tonne of donations boost Sheffield older people charity’s winter hamper appeal

A whopping half a tonne of food donated to a Sheffield charity hamper appeal is helping to feed dozens of older people this winter.

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) says it was overwhelmed by the response of businesses and individuals to its reverse advent calendar appeal, which aimed to build up a collection of non-perishable items to help the city’s over 65s.

The flood of donations has been used to make up more than 50 hampers to help older people stay healthy, happy and fed this winter, whilst cash donations mean the charity can top up its haul with fresh items like bread and fruit.

SCCCC Chief Executive Mark Storey, said: “Advent calendars are a centuries old tradition- but the idea of our appeal was to put this concept into reverse, by asking people to put an item of food in a box which would add up to a hamper of vital supplies after 24 days.

 “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response and are so, so grateful for every donation we’ve received. These hampers are being passed on to older people who are referred to our services and need a helping hand this winter. The size of the response means we now have enough food to help people until the summer.

 Workplaces including DWP, Wosskow Brown Solicitors, EMS environmental services, S4C Dental, Randle and Randle Hairdressers and Affinity IT were amongst those to get involved.

 Health professionals including district nurses also backed the scheme, alongside other kind-hearted members of the public