161 Christmas Raffle: Win a XMas Wine Case

In December demand is at its highest and families are choosing between eating and heating. Can you imagine being one of them?

“December is always the busiest month for food banks,” says Molly Hodson, head of media and external affairs at the charity. “There’s a massive spike every year – December is 50% busier than every other month – and January is also high.” These are the months during which a lot of families on low incomes pay a “poverty premium”, says Hodson. “Winter is just a much harder time for people living in poverty, especially if they’re on pre-payment meters for their gas and electricity. A lot of people end up making choices between eating and heating their home.”

At Christmas time, many food banks try to do a little extra for users. “Alongside the standard food parcels which have three days of non-perishable, nutritionally balanced food in it, some food banks will do Christmas presents for kids, which is really nice,” says Hodson. “It’s trying to give people a bit of normality at Christmas.”

While many of us know that food banks provide food – and are happy to donate tinned items and other grocery items – not all of us are aware that food banks could do with donations of other essential non-food items as well.

So we thought, let's help! Donate in store to help Lewisham Foodbank this Christmas and enter our Christmas Raffle for a chance to win The Must Have (4 bottles) wine case worth £97.20 to enjoy over the festive period with your loved ones!

What to do?

1. We ask you to donate a shopping bag with:

A. Non-perishable, in-date food.
The foodbank regularly lists items needed here.

and/or

B. Essential non-food items:

Toilet roll
Sanitary towels and tampons
Tin openers
Nappies
Toiletries
Baby food

You are welcome to drop off your donations during our opening hours: Thu/Fri 5-11pm, Sat/Sun 3-10pm

2. Fill in the contact sheet in store with your personal details. Over 18's only.

3. Deadline: December. 20. The winner will be picked on December 21. You are welcome to pick your wines up until 10pm on December 22.

We will be sure to get your donations to Lewisham Foodbank in time for Christmas!

Good luck!

Al & Ben