Christmas Giving 2023

You can help our neighbours this Christmas

We know that bills and stress are high this year, and it could be more of a stretch than usual to give. But we also know that everything God can enable us to give to our most vulnerable neighbours can make a tremendous difference this Christmas.

This information is to help you get to know and pray for local people in need, and consider what you can give to help. It’s also available as a daily email - best way to sign up is from the link in your weekly newsletter. If you don’t already get a newsletter from us, sign up here.

Who are we helping?

These are some of Bristol’s most vulnerable people who have faced financial and practical difficulties this year. We want to help them enjoy Christmas as a special celebration with their families without the stress of this costing too much.

What are we giving?

We want everyone we are serving to enjoy a hamper of Christmas treats and have vouchers they can spend on fresh food and children’s gifts they can choose themselves.

We also need to ensure that the Food Bank can continue operating as needed through Christmas and into the new year, so some of the funds donated will help secure its provision of food and advice services.

Two ways to give 

You can buy the items we need for hampers, bring them to church on Sunday 26th November or Sunday 3rd December, and we’ll get them packed and sent out. See our shopping list below for suitable items that don't need to go in the fridge. You can get an item a day, or grab a load in your weekly shop!

  • Tinned ham or chicken

  • Tinned veg & tinned potatoes or instant mash

  • Stuffing & gravy granules

  • Cranberry sauce or jam

  • Christmas pudding & tinned custard

  • Christmas cake

  • Mince pies

  • Christmas sweets/chocs/selection boxes

  • Bags of crisps or snacks

  • Washing up liquid

  • Christmas crackers

Or you can click to give money, and we’ll do the rest.

 
 

What difference can your giving make?

Who needs a food bank?

The cost of living crisis continues to have real and lasting effects for a wide range of people. The Trussell Trust network (of which the Vineyard BS4 Food Bank is part) provided more emergency food parcels than ever before in last six months.

The number of clients referred for support in our area has been growing quickly - over 40% in the last year.

So there is a very high chance that you have met someone this week, maybe at school, or working in a shop, or taking the bus home, who never imagined their work and benefits couldn’t pay all the bills. They won’t be used to needing this kind of help, and they’ll be worrying about how to get through Christmas.

Your Christmas giving can make a huge difference to them.

The deal with debt

With essential costs rising, where would you turn if you couldn't afford the bills this month? Millions borrow to cover the gaps, and increasingly this becomes a problem that many struggle to manage.

Debt can become a trap which keeps people in poverty, and CAP is dedicated to freeing people who would otherwise be stuck. Throughout the year, we offer practical, professional help to renegotiate or relieve debt, learn life skills which help prevent debt growing again, and friendly personal and spiritual support for people who want it - you can read more about this here.

Managing on a tight budget can still be a year-round strain, and Christmas presents a dilemma. How can it be a celebration when it's too hard to afford without going back into debt?

This is something we can help with - and your giving can be both a practical support and a kind, seasonal symbol of God's love shared among us.