Our Reverse Advent Calendar Initiative is a wonderful way for everyone to get involved in helping the less fortunate at this special time of year. All you need to do to participate in our Reverse Advent Calendar is grab a box and, every day from the 1st to the 24th December, you place one non-perishable food item in it. At the end of the 24 days you would have prepared a 7-day food pack ready to feed people who desperately need your help.

Foodbank Lifeline Foundation provide non-perishable emergency 7-day food packs to individuals/couples/families who find themselves in financial difficulty and need support in the form of foodstuffs. They work closely with government organisations and charities to make sure to help people who are in desperate need. They have several supporters, both individual and corporate, who help with regular donations of food and money, but with around €20,000 worth of food being distributed every month, they are always looking for support from the public. Therefore, the Reverse Advent Calendar is the foodbank’s primary annual campaign to help raise awareness about their cause, the people they help and the assistance that is always desperately needed.

Presently we can’t accept fresh or frozen food due to storage limitations – running the risk that food would expire before we can hand it out. Sometimes it’s also difficult for our clients to store this type of food as well as they might not have access to a fridge. Have a look at our Shopping List (undefined)for ideas on what to place in each box. This shopping list is updated regularly so please look out for a new version. Our food packs feed individuals, couples and families for up to 7 days. We provide a mix of items from tins of sauces to boxes of pasta. Sometimes, we are asked why we don’t ask for food like rice all the time. The reason is that if we have a catering or importer sponsor who donates containers of rice – we wouldn’t need that item for some time and it would be better to focus on other items we need to make up a nutritionally balanced pack.

For the second year running we have received a lovely donation of boxes from Multi Packaging (https://multipackaging.com.mt/)courtesy of MDemajo Group. We also have posters and fliers produced by Izola Bank, one of our main sponsors. We only have a limited supply so these are handed out on a first come basis and we try to aim for schools mostly followed by businesses. Remember you can also use any boxes or bags. The only thing we ask is please don’t overload them as its very hard for our volunteers to carry. Much better if it is split up if it’s a sizeable donation 😊.

Last year several schools decided to join forces with us and make the Reverse Advert Calendar their Christmas campaign to help raise awareness with pupils over how they can help people in need. We want to make your life simple. Here’s what to do: 1. Contact us via email (mailto:help@foodbanklifeline.com?subject=I would like my school to help :))and provide us with your school’s name, your contact details including your email and contact number. 2. We’ll come back to you to arrange details. 3. We will drop off Reverse Advent Calendar boxes to your school. You can pass these around perhaps one to each class, so if each pupil just brings one item in during December, that class would have made up an entire foodpack. Please refer to our shopping list for the items that can be placed in this pack. Please note we can’t accept fresh or frozen food - have a look at our Shopping List (undefined)for some ideas. 4. We will also drop off fliers and posters to hang around the school and for children to show to their parents. We would need an idea of how many you would need. 5. Our Foodbank Coordinator Ross Yarnold would be very willing to come and speak to your pupils during your Assembly, if you would like to have this arranged please do email us.(mailto:help@foodbanklifeline.com?subject=I would like my school to help :)) 6. We can arrange collection of the food from your school either before you close for Christmas or just after you open in January. We need to conclude on this very important information from the beginning so that we can book dates with the volunteers helping us collect the food. And that’s it! We’re happy to help make it as easy as possible for you so please let us know (javascript:void(0))if you have any questions.

There are different ways your company can help us this Christmas. Here are a few options to consider: 1. Dress down days to collect money for the Foodbank Lifeline. We now have new Collection Boxes, courtesy of our sponsors Izola Bank.(http://www.izolabank.com) If you’d like to set this up please email us.(mailto:help@foodbanklifeline.com?subject=I would like Collection Boxes for my business :)) 2. Collect food into Reverse Advent Calendar packs which we can then arrange to collect from you. 3. Perhaps your staff would like to volunteer in January to help us sort through the food we received? 4. A corporate donation. We can arrange for our co-ordinator Ross Yarnold or a member from our Board of Directors to come and collect this, perhaps with a photo opportunity. We can also arrange for a blog on our website and a post on Facebook for every sizeable donation we receive from you. 5. The best way to arrange all this is to contact us (mailto:foodbanklifeline@gmail.com?subject=CSR initiative)via email and provide us with your company’s name, your contact details including your email and contact number and information over how you are planning to help. We’ll offer guidance and we can work on logistics. 6. We do have some posters and fliers which can be collected from our Valletta premises in case you’d like to place these around your offices. Please get in touch (mailto:help@foodbanklifeline.com?subject=I need some posters and fliers :))with us if you’d like some.

If you would like to get your family involved here are few ideas. 1. Have a look at our Shopping List.(undefined) 2. Grab a strong box that can take the weight of 24 items. 3. Every day from the 1st to the 24th December place one item as listed on our suggested Shopping List (undefined)into the box. 4. Please refer to the next question for information on various drop off points for your boxes.

You have various options on where to drop off your boxes. If you are collecting on behalf of a school or a company and you would like to make a sizeable donation we would appreciate it if you can liaise with us directly so that we can arrange collection ourselves, using our van sponsored by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation. Foodbank Lifeline – Valletta (map)(https://www.google.com.mt/maps/place/Foodbank+Lifeline+Foundation+Malta/@35.897801,14.509904,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x8c572f1169efbab5?ved=2ahUKEwi2wszL3uLeAhVHBcAKHam3DZ4Q_BIwDnoECAQQCA) Tuesdays 8am to 12pm Thursdays 8am to 7pm (if the door is closed please knock) Fridays 8am to 12pm Saturdays 8am to 12pm Quicklets and Zanzi Homes (Click on the locality to view the map) Please note they are not always open during the Christmas period. It’s always best to check with us on Facebook first or to call the branch directly.Ibragg (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets/@35.9232506,14.4733359,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x130e455d95da2b69:0x90c6d8877f0a860d!8m2!3d35.9232463!4d14.4755246)| St Julian's Ross Street (https://wego.here.com/directions/mix/Quicklets-Zanzi-Homes-Ross-Street-St.-Julians,-Ross-Street,-STJ-3240-San-Giljan:e-eyJuYW1lIjoiUXVpY2tsZXRzICYgWmFuemkgSG9tZXMgLSBSb3NzIFN0cmVldCAtIFN0LiBKdWxpYW4ncyIsImFkZHJlc3MiOiJSb3NzIFN0cmVldCwgU2FuIEdpbGphbiIsImxhdGl0dWRlIjozNS45MjEyNjQ3ODk0MTksImxvbmdpdHVkZSI6MTQuNDg5OTIwNzM1MzU5LCJwcm92aWRlck5hbWUiOiJmYWNlYm9vayIsInByb3ZpZGVySWQiOjIxMTI5MzU1OTQ2MTcxOH0=/?map=35.92126,14.48992,15,normal&fb_locale=en_US)| Attard (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Attard/@35.8898362,14.4383552,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e503bb24dd6c1:0x61c82ce23232705b!2sQuicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Attard!8m2!3d35.8898319!4d14.4405439!3m4!1s0x130e503bb24dd6c1:0x61c82ce23232705b!8m2!3d35.8898319!4d14.4405439)| St Paul's Bay (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+ZanziHomes+St.+Paul's+Bay/@35.9480617,14.402168,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e4e5e4c191a5b:0x8cd6cfe7f1832609!2sQuicklets+%26+ZanziHomes+St.+Paul's+Bay!8m2!3d35.9480574!4d14.4043567!3m4!1s0x130e4e5e4c191a5b:0x8cd6cfe7f1832609!8m2!3d35.9480574!4d14.4043567)| Fgura (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+(Fgura)/@35.8733066,14.5126699,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e5ae09e91292d:0x1be8221b892c3da4!2sQuicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+(Fgura)!8m2!3d35.8733023!4d14.5148586!3m4!1s0x130e5ae09e91292d:0x1be8221b892c3da4!8m2!3d35.8733023!4d14.5148586)| Gzira (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+Gzira/@35.8988959,14.4886604,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e454b43ea26f7:0x46e54146d8fd384b!2sQuicklets+Gzira!8m2!3d35.8988916!4d14.4908491!3m4!1s0x130e454b43ea26f7:0x46e54146d8fd384b!8m2!3d35.8988916!4d14.4908491)| Iklin (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zazni+homes+%26+Quicklets+Iklin/@35.9032017,14.4440907,15z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1szanzi+homes+iklin!3m4!1s0x130e4fe1d1fa15c7:0xf95c8411e74871a2!8m2!3d35.9032017!4d14.4528454)| Birkirkara (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+-+Birkirkara+branch/@35.9032358,14.4440907,15z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1squicklets+birkirkara!3m4!1s0x0:0xe64bfb85838f87c0!8m2!3d35.9012071!4d14.4712794)| Paceville |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+and+Zanzi+Homes+(+Paceville+)/@35.9183196,14.4872741,16z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1squicklets+paceville!3m4!1s0x0:0xb7cd60742b6a6f9c!8m2!3d35.9226929!4d14.4898818) Gzira Island Branch (https://www.google.com/maps/place/QuickLets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Island+Branch/@35.9048699,14.4894084,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e4542da79951d:0x6facdcb168cf3f4a!2sQuickLets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Island+Branch!8m2!3d35.9048656!4d14.4915971!3m4!1s0x130e4542da79951d:0x6facdcb168cf3f4a!8m2!3d35.9048656!4d14.4915971)| Qawra |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets/@35.9232506,14.4733359,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e455d95da2b69:0x90c6d8877f0a860d!2sQuicklets!8m2!3d35.9232463!4d14.4755246!3m4!1s0x130e455d95da2b69:0x90c6d8877f0a860d!8m2!3d35.9232463!4d14.4755246) Swieqi |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets/@35.9232506,14.4733359,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e455d95da2b69:0x90c6d8877f0a860d!2sQuicklets!8m2!3d35.9232463!4d14.4755246!3m4!1s0x130e455d95da2b69:0x90c6d8877f0a860d!8m2!3d35.9232463!4d14.4755246) San Gwann (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+San+Gwann/@35.9105453,14.4679913,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e4ff825839e79:0x6059eda13fd10827!2sQuicklets+San+Gwann!8m2!3d35.910541!4d14.47018!3m4!1s0x130e4ff825839e79:0x6059eda13fd10827!8m2!3d35.910541!4d14.47018)| Ta' Xbiex (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Ta'+Xbiex/@35.9015733,14.4924673,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e454a13ae2b11:0x4407c73666c991a2!2sQuicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Ta'+Xbiex!8m2!3d35.901569!4d14.494656!3m4!1s0x130e454a13ae2b11:0x4407c73666c991a2!8m2!3d35.901569!4d14.494656)| Zejtun |(https://wego.here.com/directions/mix/Zanzi-Homes-Zejtun-Branch,-Triq-tal-Barrani,-Zejtun:e-eyJuYW1lIjoiWmFuemkgSG9tZXMgLSBaZWp0dW4gQnJhbmNoIiwiYWRkcmVzcyI6IlRyaXEgdGFsLUJhcnJhbmksIFplanR1biIsImxhdGl0dWRlIjozNS44NDk1MywibG9uZ2l0dWRlIjoxNC41MjUxMiwicHJvdmlkZXJOYW1lIjoiZmFjZWJvb2siLCJwcm92aWRlcklkIjoxNDkwNTA2OTI0Mzk0MDkwfQ==?map=35.85026,14.52611,17,normal&fb_locale=en_US) Msida |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+(Msida)/@35.8947663,14.4897503,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e5ab459dbc76b:0x15332559a47813cf!2sQuicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+(Msida)!8m2!3d35.894762!4d14.491939!3m4!1s0x130e5ab459dbc76b:0x15332559a47813cf!8m2!3d35.894762!4d14.491939) Spinola |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+Spinola/@35.9187668,14.4889384,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e4541e731965b:0xf510c4fae174dedf!2sQuicklets+Spinola!8m2!3d35.9187625!4d14.4911271!3m4!1s0x130e4541e731965b:0xf510c4fae174dedf!8m2!3d35.9187625!4d14.4911271) Mosta |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+Mosta/@35.9097259,14.4227807,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e4e2b39cd2a29:0x922d1a9a1420ac58!2sQuicklets+Mosta!8m2!3d35.9097216!4d14.4249694!3m4!1s0x130e4e2b39cd2a29:0x922d1a9a1420ac58!8m2!3d35.9097216!4d14.4249694) QL Head Office (https://www.google.com/maps/place/QuickLets+Head+Office/@35.9155334,14.501758,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e453daf59eef5:0x594da67b740ceb98!2sQuickLets+Head+Office!8m2!3d35.9155291!4d14.5039467!3m4!1s0x130e453daf59eef5:0x594da67b740ceb98!8m2!3d35.9155291!4d14.5039467)| Meridien |(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zanzi+Homes+-+Le+Meridien/@35.9186047,14.4809809,15z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1squicklets+le+meridien!3m4!1s0x0:0x7438215c2d595137!8m2!3d35.914103!4d14.4932869) Bormla |(https://wego.here.com/directions/mix/Quicklets-Zanzi-Homes-Cospicua,-TRIQ-MATTY-GRIMA,-BML-1160-Cospicua:e-eyJuYW1lIjoiUXVpY2tsZXRzICYgWmFuemkgSG9tZXMgQ29zcGljdWEiLCJhZGRyZXNzIjoiVFJJUSBNQVRUWSBHUklNQSwgQ29zcGljdWEiLCJsYXRpdHVkZSI6MzUuODgzMTY1MzcyNTc4LCJsb25naXR1ZGUiOjE0LjUyMDk5NjgwOTAwNiwicHJvdmlkZXJOYW1lIjoiZmFjZWJvb2siLCJwcm92aWRlcklkIjo4MzE3OTQyNDY4NzQyMTN9?map=35.88317,14.521,15,normal&fb_locale=en_US) Naxxar|(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Quicklets+%26+Zanzi+Homes+Naxxar/@35.9016111,14.4771464,14z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1squicklets+naxxar!3m4!1s0x0:0x390fdecf4ea836f0!8m2!3d35.9152869!4d14.449355) Gozo – Pjazza l-Assedju, Victoria The Atrium - Mriehel(map)(https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Atrium/@35.8891478,14.4611855,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x130e500fa7aa89f7:0x3a8cc1b40da5606b!2sThe+Atrium!8m2!3d35.8891435!4d14.4633742!3m4!1s0x130e500fa7aa89f7:0x3a8cc1b40da5606b!8m2!3d35.8891435!4d14.4633742) In the entrance to The Atrium. Open Monday to Sunday in the run up to Christmas. Jacob's Brew - Marsascala (map)(https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jacob's+Brew-+Pay+It+Forward/@35.8634843,14.5624603,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x130e5b61c28cd2b7:0x86660c17c0ed1012!8m2!3d35.86348!4d14.564649) Opening hours: Monday from 8.30am to 2pm Tuesday from 8.30am to 6pm Wednesday from 8.30am to 2pm Thursday to Sunday from 8.30am to 6pmJacob's Brew on Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/letspayitforwardtogether/) Intercomp Please liaise directly with Intercomp for their opening hours. Intercomp – The Point, Sliema (https://bit.ly/32RaLt0)Intercomp – The Plaza, Sliema (https://bit.ly/32UUCmt)Intercomp – H S Restall Building, Triq Aldo Moro, Marsa (https://bit.ly/2rNXvbJ)Intercomp – Pama Shopping Village, Mosta (https://bit.ly/34ZkZZE)Intercomp – Centre Point, Marsa The London Barber Shop Top of Dingli Street, Sliema XFM Radio Station 111, Triq Lunzjata, St Venera, Malta (during office hours only)

Yes! You can make a donation via PayPal or a bank transfer (javascript:void(0))or even just by sending an SMS: SMS Donations: 5061 7386 - €2.33 5061 7912 - €4.66 5061 8938 - €6.99

If you have any questions, you can either: Send an email to Foodbank Lifeline on help@foodbanklifeline.com(mailto:help@foodbanklifeline.com) Call on 99066808 b(tel:+35699066808)etween Tuesday and Saturday from 8am till noon or WhatsApp on the same number at any time; Visit us at 210, Old Bakery Street in Valletta. We are open on Tuesday, Fridays & Saturdays from 8am till noon and Thursdays from 8am till 7pm. Or reach out to us on Facebook.(https://www.facebook.com/foodbanklifeline/)