Social Bite Festival Of Kindness seeks Glaswegians to help raise donations and joy in the city this Christmas

The charity is calling for local performers and community groups to help hit target of providing 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas.

Article Source: Social Bite
Last Updated: 26 November 2024 15:11

Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, is calling on kind-hearted Glaswegian performers of all ages to help raise 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items to donate to people 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 in Glasgow, the Festival of Kindness Tree will once again light up Vinicombe Street (off Byres Road), as part of the Visit West End Christmas market. Social Bite is inviting local performers and community groups to sign up and use their talents to raise awareness of the campaign.

Since 2021, generous Glaswegians have contributed more than 10,000 items towards Social Bite’s yearly target of 300,000 gifts, essentials and Christmas meals, which went towards providing vulnerable people and people experiencing homelessness with a loving Christmas. It is hoped that talented locals will sign up to come along and help raise much-needed funds using their various skills to draw a crowd, drive awareness and help beat last year’s total.

Homelessness has been declared as a national emergency in Scotland, and food poverty is on the rise, so more people are facing a desperate winter than ever before, including families with children. This is why each year Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness aims to bring joy and comfort to those who are facing a difficult Christmas, and this year that may be needed more than ever.

As well as gifts hand-delivered to the Social Bite Tree of Kindness, those looking to take part in the festive fundraising can also donate virtually. Donations of just £28 could provide someone with a hot Christmas meal, a gift, a bundle of essential items and a bed for the night. Supporters can also choose to donate items including 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. Earlier this year, the Scottish government homelessness report revealed a 15% increase in homelessness applications in Glasgow, and it was recently reported that the number of people living in temporary accommodation in the city has increased to over 1,800. That means that this year, Festival of Kindness is more important than ever.

“Glaswegians are renowned for looking out for each other and have shown this in their support for the campaign over the past four years. This year, in addition to donating Christmas gifts and meals, we are asking them to help us raise awareness by signing up to come along and demonstrate their talents at our Festival of Kindness tree on Vinicombe Street.”

The Tree of Kindness lights were officially switched on by founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, on Sunday (24th November) as part of the Visit West End Christmas lights switch on event. As well as the tree located on Glasgow’s Vinicombe Street, four other Trees of Kindness have been installed across the UK. Donors can bring physical gifts to the trees which will be distributed to homeless and vulnerable people in time for Christmas, including:

• Edinburgh – Castle Street & the Pitt Market, Granton
• London – the Strand, outside Charing Cross station
• Aberdeen – outside the Bon Accord Centre
• Dundee – Union Street, outside the Star & Garter and Walker The Jeweller

For anyone who can’t make it along to the Festival of Kindness donation points, contributions can also be made online at social-bite.co.uk/festival-of-kindness/. 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. Donors can also buy a Christmas dinner, a gift, a pack of essential items and overnight emergency accommodation for £28.

Anyone looking to come along to perform the tree should email their name, their group or skill and some details of their act to socialbite@framecreates.co.uk by Monday 2nd December. (T&C’s apply*).

*T&C’s – applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis due to limited space.

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