Thank you for supporting Concrete this Christmas with our reverse Advent Calendar appeal.

Instead of receiving a gift, those taking part in a reverse calendar DONATE an item each day from 22 Nov. The calendar will result in a collection of 24 goods that can be dropped off at 308 London Road on 15/16 Dec – so that they can be distributed to our customers who need support over the festive period. Or, if you are unable to donate goods, we are asking for a monetary donation via this page.

With your help, we can continue to lead the fight to make homelessness history across Staffordshire and the surrounding areas.

What is The Pantry?

The Pantry allows Concrete to support some of the most vulnerable people in Stoke on Trent who are homeless and have very little money available to them to buy food.

Homelessness is often caused by a fundamental lack of income, as well as a lack of affordable housing, unemployment and other life events which push people into homelessness. People are forced into homelessness when they leave prison, care, or the army with no home to go to. Many women experiencing homelessness have escaped a violent or abusive relationship. For many, life events like a relationship breakdown, losing a job, mental or physical health problems, or substance misuse put people under considerable strain which can result in homelessness.

Our Tenancy Sustainment Team supports over 100 customers aged between 18-60 who are homeless and in our community schemes. These customers often struggle with budgeting money needed to cover basic expenses such as food, personal care items, clothing, and other basic costs such as travel expenses etc. The current cost of living crisis is making this even more difficult as many of our customers are left with very little income at the end of the month. Most of our customers are in receipt of welfare benefits as they have no other income. When benefits run out early, or new claimants wait for their first payment, some have no choice but to go to food banks to feed themselves.

Our Pantry is a safety net for our customers, working in a similar way to a food bank, it ensures that we can offer emergency food and essentials parcels to our customers when they need extra support. In the warmer months we can offer essentials such as sunscreen and refillable water bottles, and in the winter, we can offer warm packs including hot cup, thermal blanket, Thinsulate hat and gloves, thermal socks, and a hot water bottle. We can also offer a toiletries pack including shower gel, deodorant/antiperspirant, toothpaste/toothbrush, and sanitary items to ensure that our customers have access to a basic level of personal hygiene items.

By proving our customers with some basic food items so that they can have a meal, an essentials pack for personal hygiene and comfort, and ongoing support from our team, we will be reducing negative impact on their mental and physical health, helping them recover from homelessness and feel cared for and supported.

Items Needed

We’re always grateful for any donations, but this year the following items would help us support our customers even more. The items will be used to stock up The Pantry, and distributed across Concrete before Christmas so customers can receive items in time for the festive period.

Tinned soups and stews

Pasta, rice, and pasta sauce

Tinned beans and vegetables

Tinned meat and fish

Cereals

Tinned fruit

Condiments and spices

Oil sprays

Dried fruits

Stock cubes

Natural juice

Long life milk

Tea and coffee

Sugar

Biscuits

Crisps, chocolate, and other snacks

Mince pies and Christmas puddings

Shampoo and conditioner

Shower gel

Soap

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Combs and hairbrushes

Sanitary wear (Tampons, pads etc)

Antibacterial hand gels

Razors

Deodorants

Hand warmers

Fleece blankets

Warm socks

Gloves, hats and scarves

Thermal mugs

Adults Pyjamas

Long Johns

Thank you for your support!