Social Bite Festival of Kindness Seeks LONDONERS to HELP RAISE OVER 10,000 DONATIONS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
- Social Bite’s gift drive has started on the Strand, providing Christmas gifts, meals, and essentials for people who are homeless and vulnerable
- The charity is calling for local performers and community groups to raise awareness of its Festival of Kindness initiative
- Social Bite is inviting locals to demonstrate greater kindness than ever before
Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, is calling on kind-hearted London performers of all ages to help raise over 10,000 gifts, meals and essential items for those experiencing homelessness this Christmas season as part of its Festival of Kindness.
The charity’s annual campaign is returning to the city this month on a mission to help end homelessness and spread some much-needed festive joy throughout November and December. In its fourth year, the Tree of Kindness will light up the Strand, just outside of the legendary Clermont Hotel, where Social Bite is inviting local performers and community groups to sign up to use their talents to draw a crowd and help raise a record number of gifts from city locals.
Over the years, generous Londoners have contributed an amazing 10,000 gifts, toys, essential items and Christmas meals to vulnerable people and people experiencing homelessness in London and beyond. Those who sign up will not only contribute to surpassing previous years’ generosity but will add to a national target of 300,000 donations, as well as joining a line-up of acts including the award-winning Rock Choir, who will entertain gift givers with their versions of Christmas classics on 1st and 6th December at 4pm.
Homelessness has been declared as a national emergency, and food poverty is on the rise. More people are facing a desperate winter than ever before, including families with children – each year the Festival of Kindness aims to bring joy and comfort to those who are facing a difficult Christmas.
As well as gifts hand delivered to the Social Bite Tree of Kindness, those looking to take part can also donate virtually. Just £28 could provide someone with a hot Christmas meal, a gift, a bundle of essential items and a bed for the night. Supporters could also choose to donate a pack of warm gloves for £10, or even 10 winter essential items and backpack for £250 – there are so many ways to get involved and help support people who need it most at this time of year.
Founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “Across the UK, homelessness is increasing, and with dwindling availability of temporary accommodation across the country and increasing food poverty, things are only becoming more challenging for everyone. Our Festival of Kindness is more important than ever, but I know we can count on the generosity of Londoners once again to help us bring joy to their neighbours and beyond.
“The level of talent in London is unmatched, so this time in addition to donating Christmas gifts and meals, we are asking locals to help us raise awareness by signing up to come along and add an extra element of fun and joy at the Tree of Kindness on the Strand.”
Over and above the tree located on the Strand outside of The Clermont Hotel, four other Trees of Kindness have been installed across the UK. Donors can bring physical gifts which will be distributed to homeless and vulnerable people in time for Christmas, to drop-off points in:
- Glasgow – Vinicombe Street
- Edinburgh – Castle Street & the Pitt Market, Granton
- Aberdeen – outside the Bon Accord Centre
- Dundee – Union Street
Anyone looking to come along to perform at the tree should email their name, their group or skill and some details of their act to [email protected] by 29th November. (T&C’s apply*).
The charity, in collaboration with people they support, has created a wish list of items and gifts that vulnerable people and people experiencing homelessness want most at this time of year. These include a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle and a torch, good quality socks, and toys and warm clothing for children living in temporary accommodation to open on Christmas morning.
*T&C’s – applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis due to limited space.