‘Reverse Advent Calender’ to support families

A KIND hearted Omagh church is giving back to the community this Christmas by preparing ‘Reverse Advent Calendars.’

Members of First Omagh Presbyterian Church have been taking part in the Reverse Advent Calendar – Christmas Dinner in a Hamper challenge which will see large food hampers donated to families who are under financial pressure in the wider Omagh area.

Each day of Advent, participants will put one item from a list into the hamper, and it is estimated to cost around £40.

The church has teamed up with Reach Food Bank in Campsie to carry out the challenge and distribute the packages to those in need of some Christmas cheer.

The hampers will consist of everything the family needs to make the perfect Christmas dinner such as Shloer, tinned fruit and vegetables, cranberry sauce, crisps, sweets and mince pies.

Reverend Jane Nelson of First Omagh Presbyterian Church explained that people had really got involved in the hampers, and once completed, they would be distributed to families on Christmas week.

Rev Nelson said, “Rather than people getting something out of an Advent calender, this year, they will put an item of food into a hamper.

“We thought it was a nice idea, and the hampers will contain everything a family will need to make a Christmas dinner and will even have some treats too.

“It is a nice way to give back to the community, especially after the year we have all had.

“Some families have been very badly impacted and are struggling, so we are hoping that these hampers will be a welcome treat for them.

“We teamed up the Reach Food Bank in Campsie and the people there will help us to distribute the packages before Christmas,” said Rev Nelson.

For more information or to donate, visit First Omagh Presbyterian Church on Facebook.