Lincolnshire Co-op launches foodbank advent calendar campaign.

A campaign to help South Holland families facing food shortages at Christmas is turning the traditional advent calendar on its head.

Lincolnshire Co-op wants shoppers to buy one item and donate it as part of a foodbank advent calendar campaign at its stores in Spalding, Crowland, Donington, Gosberton, Holbeach, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge and Whaplode.

Donated items can include tinned foods, cleaning products and toiletries, with the advent calendar now on display in all food stores where items can be dropped off at the collection points inside the store.

Alternatively, families, businesses and schools can save up their donations over the month and then take them to participating foodbanks, community larders, or drop-off points at the end of the campaign.

Foodbanks in the area that will be supported by the campaign include Crowland, Holbeach and Sutton Bridge Community Larders, Gosberton Food Bank, Long Sutton Food Larder and Agapecare Foodbank, Spalding.

Sam Turner, Co-op’s community manager, said: "We work closely with local foodbanks and have seen how important their hard work is, and the huge difference it makes to the community.

"We have collection points in all our food stores so it is easy for shoppers to donate.

"We are proud to support these vital causes and hope that shoppers will join us to give a little something this Christmas."