Giving back this Christmas – Engaging the community during the holiday season 2025

The festive season is one of the most important times for charitable initiatives, volunteer drives, and corporate social responsibility campaigns across the islands. If you’re a business looking to make a meaningful impact this Christmas, Malta offers several heartfelt opportunities to help. Here are some of the most impactful ways to give back this holiday season:

1. Support Foodbank Lifeline’s “Reverse Advent Calendar” 2025

Foodbank Lifeline runs one of Malta’s most popular Christmas-time initiatives, the Reverse Advent Calendar. Instead of opening a calendar window each day and getting a treat, you do the opposite: donate one non-perishable food item per day from December 1–24.

By Christmas Eve, you’ll have a full food pack ready to donate to families who rely on emergency food support.

This initiative is perfect for companies wanting to run a team-wide food collection in the office, but also for families or individuals who wish to donate food rather than money.

Foodbank Lifeline also accepts direct food or financial donations throughout December, making it easy to support them in whichever way suits you.

For more information, visit their website or contact them at rac@foodbanklifeline.com

2. Richmond Foundation's Gift of Therapy

People and companies can provide monetary help to Richmond Foundation through the Gift of Therapy. The donations allow Richmond Foundation to give hope and help to those who need it but cannot pay for it. This is the perfect gift to support people who need help with their mental well-being.

You can donate by visiting Richmond’s website, here.

3. Volunteer Your Time through “Joy From Giving”

If you want to give time rather than items, Joy From Giving makes volunteering incredibly accessible. It connects volunteers to NGOs across Malta, covering categories like:

• Food distribution
• Animal welfare
• Environmental projects
• Elderly support
  
• Disability services
• Social care and community event

You can volunteer alone, with friends, or as a corporate team, and it can be a one-off activity during December or something you continue into the new year.

Contact “Joy From Giving” at contact@joyfromgiving.com

4. Volunteer with Aġenzija Support’s “Sharing Lives” Programme

For those passionate about supporting people with disabilities, Aġenzija Support offers the Sharing Lives programme. Volunteers assist in social activities, companionship, group events, and practical support. Always with guidance and training provided. This is a highly meaningful way to give back, especially during a season that can be isolating for vulnerable groups.

For more information, visit Aġenzija Support’s website here.

5. Purchase Hospice Malta’s Poinsettias

Each Poinsettia costs €5.50 and you will help Hospice Malta continue offering free palliative care service.

• Delivery Fee: €5 for orders under €35 (within Malta)
• Delivery is not available for Gozo
• Free Delivery for orders of €35or moredelivered to the same address
• Last order date: December 5th at noon

You can order your Poinsettias on Hospice’s website here.

6. Join St Jeanne Antide Foundation’s “Reverse Advent Calendar” 2025

Starting Monday, 1 December, St Jeanne Antide Foundation invite you to collect daily items in a personal box. By partnering with SJAF, you are helping to uplift families living in difficult circumstances and give them the support they truly need.

Once your box is filled (or earlier if you prefer), you can contact community@mcast.edu.mt (or 2398 7259 / 2398 7267) to arrange a pickup and delivery to SJAF, who will distribute them to the families they support during the holiday season.

A small contribution can make a big difference: basic toiletries and food staples help relieve immediate needs and bring comfort.

However you choose to give, even the smallest gesture can make a meaningful difference for communities across Malta.

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