Reverse Advent Calendar

What is a Reverse Advent Calendar? Traditionally, Advent calendars are used to count down the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. In church we celebrate weekly the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy as we anticipate God’s gift of Jesus. Most purchased Advent calendars start on December 1 and go until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Advent calendars consist of a series of doors or windows to open, revealing a picture, small chocolate or little gift for each day.

But the Reverse Advent Calendar is different! Instead of receiving a daily gift, those taking part in a reverse calendar DONATE an item each day, thus giving instead of receiving. This year the Social and Eco Justice Ministry is offering a suggestion to participate by following this list of food items to donate to our Little Pantry or the Larimer County Food Bank.

You can also do this in a different way. It doesn’t have to be food that you are donating. Maybe put $1 in a basket each day for your reverse advent calendar and then donate the money to our Little Food Pantry. It is also completely fine to add an item every few days or weekly instead of daily. No matter how you choose to participate, consider doing something small for those in need this Advent season. We are blessed to be a blessing to others as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Put your food items in a box or bag that can be plain or decorated. You can bring the food items to church weekly or wait until Christmas Eve whichever works best for you. We will have a table in the fellowship room for donations.

Thank you for your participation in this Advent ministry.

EACH DAY ADD AN ITEM TO A BOX
December 1 – box of cereal or individual oatmeal packages
December 2 – peanut butter
December 3 – individual snack packages or breakfast bars
December 4 – boxed potatoes
December 5 – macaroni and cheese
December 6 – canned, individual, or dried fruit
December 7 – canned tomatoes
December 8 – canned meat (tuna, chicken, sausages) or jerky
December 9 – dessert mix or pudding cups
December 10 – Individual servings of applesauce or fruit cups
December 11 – individual bags of trail mix or nuts
December 12 – shelf stable boxed milk
December 13 – canned black, kidney, pinto, or refried beans
December 14 – box of or individual packages of crackers
December 15 – package of rice or stuffing mix
December 16 – can of chili, stew, or pasta meal (SpaghettiOs or others)
December 17 – package pasta
December 18 – can of spaghetti sauce (*no glass jars)
December 19 – can of chicken, beef, vegetable or other soup
December 20 – individual boxes of craisins or raisins
December 21 – can corn
December 22 – can mixed vegetables
December 23 – can carrots or sweet potatoes
December 24 – can green beans