Echuca Neighbourhood House is once again spreading the Christmas cheer with its reverse advent calendars, asking the community to contribute an essential item each day to be distributed to those in need.
Goods like non-perishables, toiletries, treats and Christmas-inspired items are encouraged to be contributed to the cause.
Suggested items include pasta, soup, canned fruit, muesli bars, cereal, chocolate, spreads, coffee and tea, pasta sauce, tissues, long-life milk, soap, crackers, dried fruit, and Christmas treats or gifts.
“Some people put vouchers and things in there, like butcher vouchers,” Echuca Neighbourhood House administration assistant Alyx Jorgensen said.
“The idea of the boxes is to get them through Christmas a little bit better without having that worry of ‘how are we going to get food?’.
“We’re trying to make sure that their either have food so they can buy a roast or just so that they have extra food so they can buy the kids presents.
“It’s nice because each box is so unique.”
The boxes this year have been decorated by local school students, adding their individual festive flare.
In 2023, the organisation distributed around 70 boxes to people in need and the numbers of both givers and receivers continue to increase.
“People here about it, and we have to get more boxes because we run out and there are more people who want to do them,” Ms Jorgensen said.
“A lot of the schools like to fill up some boxes.
“Then each year, there’s the other side too ... more families go on the list.”
For those interested in receiving or referring someone for a box, head into the High St store and speak to the team.
Around 100 boxes are ready to be filled and given out next month.
Empty boxes can be collected from Echuca Neighbourhood House from Monday, November 4, to be filled and returned by Saturday, November 30.
The house is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 2pm and is located at 261 High St, Echuca.