For the second year running, a Hertfordshire care home is rallying the local community to support families struggling with the cost of living this Christmas. Staff and residents at Iris Court Care Home in Stevenage have officially launched their annual festive appeal, collecting donations for The Food Shed.
A Tradition of Festive Kindness Continues
Building on the incredible generosity witnessed during their inaugural campaign last year, the home is once again opening its doors as a collection point. The initiative aims to make a meaningful difference to households in the area who are finding it difficult to afford essentials, let alone festive treats. All donated items will support The Food Shed's Reverse Advent Calendar Wish List, which ensures local families have access to vital food supplies and gifts for children.
Community Spirit in Action
The team at Iris Court are deeply committed to giving back. They are inviting anyone in the local community who is able to spare items or donations to drop them off at the care home. The specific items needed are detailed by The Food Shed for their 2025 Reverse Advent Calendar. All contributions will be delivered to The Food Shed in Stevenage on December 19, in time for Christmas distribution.
Home services advisor, Cassie Hinton, explained the motivation behind the drive: “Everyone at Iris Court is very much aware that lots of people are finding it difficult to feed themselves and their families this year and we all wanted to help in whatever way we can. We wanted to collect as much food and other useful products as possible to help those less fortunate than ourselves so it’s wonderful to see how amazingly generous everyone has been.”
Coming Together to Make a Difference
General manager, Tash Begum, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative effort. “We all had the same feeling that we had to do something to help others so we got together with People for People and started to collect food and other useful products to donate to the community with all donations going to the food shed in Stevenage to be distributed in time for Christmas. Thank you to all our staff and families who donated towards this very worth cause!”
With the rising cost of living continuing to pressure household budgets, initiatives like the Iris Court Christmas drive provide a crucial lifeline. The care home's efforts underscore a powerful community spirit, proving that local action can have a direct and positive impact on families in need during the festive season.
