Reverse Advent Calendar Gives Back to Local Community

As we creep closer to Christmas, the Prep School are thinking of others and giving back to the local community. The Reverse Advent Calendar was launched at the start of December; every day, the stockings are opened to reveal an item that a family in need could use this Christmas.

Donations are being collected for the Truro Foodbank; although the stockings suggest items like UHT milk and tinned fruit, there is no need to contribute exact items or to take part every day.

As December continues, Truro School Prep has already started gathering lots of items in, with pupils leaving them in prepared boxes around the School site.

Simon from Truro Foodbank tells us why this is such a necessary activity, “At Truro Foodbank, we are here to help people in food crisis. There are many reasons people can fall into food crisis: loss of income, ill health, domestic situations and debt for example. These issues, coupled with Covid implications, mean that this Christmas will be challenging for a number of people locally.

When people are referred to us, our food parcels include food essentials, but also other items that people need to get by, such as laundry powder, washing up liquid and cat or dog food. If a person is struggling to afford food, they will also be struggling to buy those items too.

All of Truro School Prep’s donations will be gratefully received and distributed to help local people in need. We are grateful to all of the children, staff and parents for thinking of others at this time.”

Sarah Patterson, Head of Truro School Prep says of the idea, “At this time of year, our focus is on giving as well as receiving, and the Reverse Advent Calendar is a wonderful way for children and families to contribute practically. Putting money into collection tins is a fantastic way of giving to others, but bringing in items of food into school that children can picture helping others is much more meaningful.”