BUSINESSES, schools, clubs, and groups across Salisbury are being called upon to help families in need this Christmas by participating in the third ‘Bring a Tin to Work Day’.

The initiative, which this year takes place on Friday, December 6, aims to gather tinned, packaged and festive food items to help Salisbury Pantry take the pressure off nearly 350 families in Salisbury struggling to cope with Christmas in the cost-of-living crisis.

The donations will help stock Salisbury Pantry, which is extending its opening hours this December to accommodate rising demand as more families seek assistance.

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The initiative aims to gather tinned, packaged and festive food items (Image: Salisbury City Council) Sharon Chandler, a Radio Odstock volunteer, came up with the idea for the project in 2022 after learning about the challenges Salisbury Pantry was facing.

Sharon said: “I first heard about the pantry when the manager came onto Radio Odstock on Gilly and Friends. She was really emotional about trying to bring the food they needed in week after week.

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"This was at a time when they had to put new registrations on hold because food stocks were so low.”

Chandler continued: “Then I came up with the idea of ‘Bring a Tin to Work’. I thought that the start of December would be the ideal time, when demand is so high, to try to help families have a better Christmas. 

"I am really excited this year and want to help more people than ever!"

Sharon Chandler, organiser of 'Bring a Tin to Work Day' (Image: Salisbury City Council) This year, Salisbury City Council staff and a team of Pantry volunteers will assist Sharon and Radio Odstock volunteers with the collections, hoping to expand the project beyond offices and schools to include local sports clubs and groups.

One volunteer said: “I know from my kids that sports clubs are great at pulling together for a good cause. If just a few clubs picked a match day and asked everyone to bring an item, we would have a record year.”

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To participate, sign up as a collection point or donation drop-off location by the end of October. You can do so by:

• Filling out the form at https://form.jotform.com/242624016448050
• Scanning the QR code on the event posters
• Emailing friendsofradioodstock@outlook.com

Pantry Manager Abi Blake said: “Demand goes up every December, especially from families. For those of us lucky enough not to have to worry about how we will buy presents or Christmas dinner it is fantastic to be able to help those hit by the cost-of-living crisis to manage their day-to-day costs with a low-cost Pantry shop.

"Everyone should be able to enjoy this special time of year."

Abi continued: “This Christmas we can take donations of any tinned or packaged food that is in-date like cereal, tinned meat or fish, rice and welcome Christmas staples like stuffing, Christmas puddings and chocolate treats.”