Reverse Advent Calendar stocks shelves at City Mission

Saturday, 6 January 2024

Every week, a few more groceries went into the Buist family’s trolley during their December shops.

The items weren’t for their own pantry, they were to take part in a Reverse Advent Calendar campaign in support of the Christchurch City Mission.

The daily routine throughout December saw Agnes Buist, 9 and Becky Buist, 13, take turns to open their own wooden advent calendar first thing in the morning.

“The only time they’re allowed chocolate before breakfast,” their mum, Lynn Buist laughed.

While the sisters’ advent calendar emptied, a cardboard box in their home filled with groceries.

Buist said she saw the initiative promoted in The Press which piqued her interest.

The family donates to various charities throughout the year but she said getting involved was “a good way to make the girls aware other children are not as fortunate as they are”.

“They’re very fortunate to have food on the table and the presents they want.”

Working through the suggestions of items to donate, Buist said Agnes and Becky filled out the calendar on The Press page, writing in exactly what would go into the box destined for the City Mission.

It included toiletries, food, washing up powder and baby food, “a complete mix”, Buist said.

The Press reader Paula Douglas also shared a picture of her collection half-way through. “Started off grabbing whatever we had unopened in the pantry, then I got some things in our last couple of grocery shops specially for it. Added an extra element of fun by giving categories to the different coloured boxes.”

The people of Christchurch typically give generously to the City Mission, but these holidays have seen the greatest contribution yet.

Christchurch City Missioner Corinne Haines said it was “the biggest” drop-for off of food this time of year.

Boxes of donations were still coming in every day and “we got at least 10” on Thursday, she said.

The calendar was a “very much talked about programme … even out in the community,” she said.

And the staff could see its popularity reflected in the boxes of groceries collected due to some donations also containing the page from The Press.

“They would open one [box] up, and there’s the calendar in there.”

It had a “significant effect” on food and cash donations, she said, alongside the Christchurch City Mission’s own advertising.

But she said that didn’t mean they could rest on their laurels. “We have six to eight weeks of supply at the moment, but that won’t be everything we need.

“We’re never sorted, there’s always an ongoing need because every month the demand is there.”

Around the time of the election, Haines said the Mission was getting fewer donations. “We were quite nervous before Christmas.”

Bulk grocery items had to be purchased by the charity during October and November, “but the response we’ve had from [the reverse advent calendar] is overwhelming”.

“Thanks to everyone who participated in this calendar. It definitely gives us some certainty as we plan this time of year.”

The Press editor Kamala Hayman said the newspaper had long supported the City Mission and when she heard of the reverse advent calendar movement she thought it could be a new way to help the charity. “We were surprised and delighted by the level of interest from readers and to hear it has made a real difference to the Mission is great news.”

The Press newsroom also got involved with staff contributing to a reverse advent calendar collection throughout December.

“I hope we can make this an annual tradition,” said Hayman.

Donations can continue to be made to the City Mission