b'Christmascountdown making a difference.Tami and her family have been donating food at Christmas time for almost 10 years now.I hate chocolate advent calendars, Tami reflects on her own childhood and Tami confessed. remembers she herself went through aYoure giving your children something sweetcouple of tough periods.every day leading up to the most indulgent day ofI have been on both sides of it and now Im the year. in a position to help people, she saysAnd youre not really teaching them anything My children have never known an experiencein the process. Tamis frustration at the like that. So I like them to see theyre living a pretty Christmas tradition sparked a new way for comfortable, privileged life and not everyone has it her family to celebrate. that way.I still wanted to do something to build up Tami and her family have been donating foodthe excitement towards Christmas. at Christmas time for almost 10 years now.So I came up with this idea of doing a reverseNot only has this tradition continued at home but advent calendar. Where instead of the kids gettingTami has also taken it to work.something, they would give something. People in our team want to make a difference on From here Tami, her husband and two childrenthe small scale that they can, she says.began their new Christmas tradition. That small scale is appreciated in the contextEvery year the family look on Unitings Food of Food For Families.For Families website, write a shopping list and do a big grocery shop.Tami then creates her own advent calendar whichGettells the family each day what food item to putinvolved.in the Food For Families box they are gradually filling. Whether it be a tin of tomatoes or packet ofWe want to provide families and pasta or box of tea leaves. individuals with food and essentialThe children really enjoy it. Theyre 9 and items all year round. But to do this,11 now and really into it, says Tami we need your help. Register today. I wanted to teach them Christmas is about giving,T 1800 668 426its not just about receiving.Its about thinking of other people who might notRegister nowbe in a fortunate position.10 Supporter Newsletter Spring 2022'