Southend Foodbank Launches Reverse Advent Calendar Campaign for the Busy Festive Season
As the holiday season approaches, food banks across the country are gearing up for an influx of visitors in need. Among them is Southend Foodbank, which is sharing the story behind its newly launched Reverse Advent Calendar campaign. This creative and collaborative effort was brought to life by the dedicated staff, volunteers, and their families.
Starting on December 1st, Southend Foodbank will release a new short video each day, showcasing a different item on their Reverse Advent Calendar. The goal is to encourage donations in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The idea for the campaign was sparked by Cass Francis, the Foodbank’s Comms & Campaigns Coordinator. With the support and enthusiasm of the team, it quickly became a reality. A life-size Advent calendar door and backdrop were hand-built, and volunteers, including recent university graduate Henry Goodchild, were enlisted to film the videos.
According to Cass, “It’s a combination of a calendar and a cuckoo clock! We had such fun filming it, with all sorts of volunteers adding their own flourish to every day on the calendar. We’ve also created downloadable versions of the calendar on our website, so people can print it off and tick off the items as they collect them.”
This holiday season is expected to be especially challenging for the Foodbank and the individuals and families they serve. Cass expresses her gratitude for the ongoing support from donors who contribute food, money, and their time to the cause.
In an exciting twist, the Foodbank has also enlisted the help of some special guests to promote the campaign. These include former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.
To download a version of the calendar and learn more about the campaign, follow Southend Foodbank on social media or visit their website southend.foodbank.org.uk/christmas-2025. The Foodbank encourages individuals and businesses to get involved and make a difference in their community this holiday season.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.