Are you looking for a special and meaningful family project

that highlights the importance of giving back?

Consider a Reverse Advent Family Project!

A reverse advent project is a way to celebrate the spirit of giving during the holidays. This activity involves collecting items for a food pantry in a thoughtful and organized manner, in contrast to the traditional advent calendar where you receive something each day leading up to Christmas. It not only supports those who are struggling with food insecurity, but also teaches important values to your family, fostering a sense of empathy and community.

Here are some suggestions on how to make it work for your family:

1. Define the purpose: Have a discussion with your family about the purpose of the reverse advent project. Talk about the importance of giving back to those in need.
2. Set a time frame: Decide on the duration of your family project. Traditionally it runs for 24 days leading up to Christmas, but adjust the time frame to suit your family’s schedule and preference.
3. Decorate and Plan: Decorate a box that will serve as your family’s collection box. Come up with a list of items that you plan to add to the box (see below for a list of suggested items). The list will help ensure a diverse range of items to meet the needs of the food pantry.
4. Collect and Celebrate: Each day, contribute the assigned item to the collection box. Consider incorporating a countdown element by numbering the items to be donated, and celebrate each donation as a family.
5. Teach Generosity: Throughout the reverse advent activity, use it as an opportunity to teach your family about generosity and the importance of helping those less fortunate. Discuss the impact of your donation and how it will benefit others in the community.
6. Deliver the Donations: the CRS food pantry distributes a lot of food during the month of December. Your donation will help us restock our pantry. Plan to deliver your box when we reopen during the first week of January (we are closed the week between Christmas and New Year's Day). You can involve your family in this process, allowing them to see the result of their collective effort.
7. Reflect and Share: After the project is complete, gather your family to reflect on the experience. Discuss how the reverse advent activity made everyone feel and its impact on those in need. Encourage your family to continue to find ways to help others throughout the year.

If you choose to participate in the Reverse Advent Project, you can post your photos on Instragram and tag CRS @communityresourceservices