2026 NBSG Foodbank Reverse Advent Calendar
Be the reason someone celebrates Christmas without hunger.
An advent calendar gives you a treat each day. A reverse advent calendar turns that round: each day, you put one thing aside for someone else.
Through November, add one item a day to a box or bag. By the end, you’ll have 24 things that local people need. Drop your box off by Friday 4th December, and we’ll get it to people facing hunger in time for Christmas.
Print it, stick it on the fridge and tick off each item as you go.
How it works
1. Get your calendar
Download and print the calendar, or use the list on this page.
2. Add one item a day
Through November, put one item a day into a box or bag. Tick it off as you go.
3. Drop it off by Friday 4th December
Take your box to one of our drop-off points in supermarkets, churches and community centres.
This year’s 24 items
Here’s the full list, in the same order as the printed calendar. Please make sure Christmas treats are alcohol-free.
Day 1
Cereal
Day 2
Cooking sauces
Day 3
Tinned fruit
Day 4
Long life juice
Day 5
Tinned desserts
Day 6
Long life milk
Day 7
Dog or cat food
Day 8
Size 5/6 nappies
Day 9
Sanitary products
Day 10
Laundry detergent (small boxes)
Day 11
Washing up liquid
Day 12
Deodorant (male or female)
Day 13
Shampoo
Day 14
Toilet roll
Day 15
Cooking noodles
Day 16
Sweet Christmas treat
Day 17
Savoury Christmas item
Day 18
Coffee
Day 19
Mince pies
Day 20
Sweet Christmas treat
Day 21
Savoury Christmas item
Day 22
Long life milk
Day 23
Laundry detergent (small boxes)
Day 24
Washing up liquid
Thank you!
Please check before you buy. We can’t accept anything containing alcohol, chilled or frozen food, fizzy drinks, infant formula milk or powder, or food that’s out of date, opened or unpackaged.
Why we ask in November
We run the calendar in November so there’s time to sort your donations and get them out to people before Christmas.
Do it together
Do it on your own or with your family. Or get your workplace, school or community group involved, and fill one big box together.
Drop off your box by Friday 4th December
Take it to any of our drop-off points. You’ll find them in supermarkets, churches and community centres. Opening times vary, so check the map before you go.
Be the reason someone celebrates Christmas without hunger.
Questions about the calendar
Do I need to collect all 24 items?
No. Whatever you can give is welcome, so bring what you’ve collected by Friday 4th December.
Can I take part with my school, workplace or group?
Yes. The calendar works for a family, a class, an office or a community group. You could share out the days, or fill one big box together.
I can’t get to a drop-off point. Can I still help?
Yes. You can order items from our online list on Give Today. They’re delivered straight to our distribution centre.
Can I give money instead?
Yes. You can get your donation doubled during our Christmas Big Give campaign running 1st - 8th December 2026.
To give outside of that week, please give to us online here.
What happens to my donations?
We sort them and use them to help local people in crisis. Our emergency food parcels give people a balanced, nutritious three-day supply of food. Now and then we also send food to nearby food banks that are running short.