A pop-up hub which will give free food and gifts to anyone who needs it this Christmas is currently accepting donations in Brixton.
Holly’s Angels – which aims to re-connect local communities with theatre spaces whilst providing support to those in need and inspiring fresh interest in the arts scene – will be returning to Brixton House to host their pop-up food and donation hub alongside a Festive Market.
Holly Adomah, founder of the initiative, said she wanted to ensure everyone could get the support they need over Christmas.
“The cost of living crisis continues to affect vulnerable people and some are having to face very difficult decisions on how to provide for themselves, families and or loved ones during the festive season,” she said.
“My volunteers and I will aim to minimise the stress for those who may need an extra bit of support, as we continue to allow for people to have agency without restrictions, but also to bring much needed festive cheer in what is supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.”
She is encouraging people to spare items for the cause – such as non-perishable food, clothes, toiletries, household items, sanitary products, and gift-wrapped toys for children and/or adults.
Until Friday 22 December she will be at Brixton House collecting the donations from 10am-3pm.
The Festive Market, taking place on Saturday 23 December, will welcome community members, arts freelancers, and those in need this festive season to attend and collect free donations of their own choosing.
The following donations will be welcomed:
- Festive themed non-perishable foods, snacks, and sweets.
- Non-perishable food, such as: long-life non-dairy milk (oat, soya, rice), pasta, rice, oats, tinned soup, beans and other pulses, lentils, cereals, etc.
- Pet food: food pouches for dogs, cats and smaller household pets, dried biscuits/food, and tins of pet food.
- Pet accessories, such as warm beds and blankets.
- Gift-wrapped toys for children (with a gift tag attached to notify what’s inside), such as: books, colouring books and stationary, small toys, soft toys, board games.
- Gift-wrapped presents for adults (with a gift tag attached to notify what’s inside).
- Toiletries, such as: deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes, and children’s toiletries.
- Household items, such as: laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, and washing up liquid.
- Sanitary towels and tampons.
Created by arts marketer and cultural producer Holly Adomah in the lockdown of December 2020, Holly’s Angels has since grown a team of dedicated creative volunteers who turn theatre spaces into food and donation hubs to help support community members and local artists who are experiencing hardships.
Donate every day until Friday 22 December between 10am – 3pm at Brixton House (385 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8GL).