A little H.O.P.E. goes a long way
Helping Other People Eat
Every December, people across Malta turn a box in their kitchen, classroom or workplace into food for someone they may never meet. It fills a little at a time, with a tin picked up on the way home or a packet added to the weekly shop. Together, those small contributions help us support people through a difficult time.
We would love you to be part of it this Christmas. Add one non-perishable food item a day from 1 to 24 December, then bring your collection to one of our drop-off points. You can take part on your own, with your family or alongside a whole school or team.
Where will your collection begin?
The idea is the same wherever you put the box. How you fill it is up to you. Here are a few ways to make the Reverse Advent Calendar part of your December.
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
A box by the kitchen door
An empty box where you will see it is all you need to begin.
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Easy to fit in. Add something when you do the shopping.
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Good with children. Let them choose an item from the list and decorate the box.
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Better together. Share a collection with friends and neighbours.
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Give what you can. Bring a full box, a bag or just a few items.
SCHOOLS
Let children see what giving can do
A box at the front of the classroom gives children something they can see growing.
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A natural way to talk about kindness and the fact that families sometimes need help.
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Everyone can take part. Children can decorate the box or help with the collection, whatever their family can give.
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Collect your way. As a class, a year group or a whole school.
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We can help with posters, boxes and a shopping list to send home.
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Tell us when your term ends so we can agree the arrangements before the holidays.
Have a larger collection? Request a collection.
Need help choosing what to put in your box?
BUSINESSES AND ORGANISATIONS
Give a corner of your workplace a purpose
A box in reception or the staff kitchen gives colleagues somewhere to leave an extra item.
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Thanked publicly. Your donation will be thanked publicly on our page.
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Collect as one team, across departments or through a club or community group.
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Food, money or supermarket vouchers. You can collect any of these.
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We can help with posters, boxes, the shopping list, a short note and images to share internally.
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Tell us your plans. We will talk through the timing, the materials and how the food will reach us.
Have a larger collection? Request a collection.
Collecting money or supermarket vouchers?
Businesses and organisations can collect these as well as food. Tell us what you have in mind when you register.
From the first tin to the final box
An advent calendar is about receiving. A reverse advent calendar is about giving. Instead of taking something out each day, put something in. You can buy several items in one shop and add them through the month, or pick up a little whenever you can.
STEP 1
Find a box
Use a cardboard box or a strong reusable bag. Put it somewhere you will remember it.
STEP 2
Choose your food
Use the shopping list below. These are the kinds of food we include in our packs.
STEP 3
Add a little
One item a day from 1 to 24 December, or collect at a pace that works for you.
STEP 4
Check it over
Keep everything sealed and within date. Mark short dates with a sticky note.
STEP 5
Get it to us
Check your drop-off point’s dates and hours. Schools and businesses with a larger collection can request a pick-up.
What will you put in your box?
Think of the things you reach for in your own kitchen: something for breakfast, ingredients for dinner, a cup of coffee and a small treat. Those familiar foods have a place in our food packs too. This list helps you choose what to collect, in any order and in whatever amount you can give.
For the start of the day
Breakfast before school or work, or a cup of coffee while the house is still quiet. Familiar things that help the day begin.
For the start of the day
Think of the things you reach for in your own kitchen: something for breakfast, ingredients for dinner, a cup of coffee and a small treat. Those familiar foods have a place in our food packs too. This list helps you choose what to collect, in any order and in whatever amount you can give.
For the start of the day
Think of the things you reach for in your own kitchen: something for breakfast, ingredients for dinner, a cup of coffee and a small treat. Those familiar foods have a place in our food packs too. This list helps you choose what to collect, in any order and in whatever amount you can give.
For the start of the day
Think of the things you reach for in your own kitchen: something for breakfast, ingredients for dinner, a cup of coffee and a small treat. Those familiar foods have a place in our food packs too. This list helps you choose what to collect, in any order and in whatever amount you can give.
Register your school or organisation
If you are organising a collection for a school, business or group, register below. You do not need to have every detail worked out. Tell us what you have in mind, what might help you get started and when you would like to take part. We will be in touch to discuss the arrangements.