Manchester restaurant creates ‘human-sized advent calendar’ to feed homeless
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The Oast House in Manchester is inviting members of the public to open the doors of its human-sized advent calendar, as it aims to donate 50 meals per day from 1 to 24 December.
Every time the door is opened on the 15 ft squared calendar at the Spinningfields-based bar and restaurant, it will trigger the donation of a meal to Mustard Tree, a charity helping people facing poverty and homelessness in Manchester via Foodinate.
Dubbed ‘DecemBeer’, the advent calendar will be stocked daily with a range of festive drinks, limited edition merchandise and treats such as tickets to UEFA Champions League matches, Ladies’ Day at Ascot and The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As well as generating a charitable donation, visitors can open the doors free of charge to receive a complimentary gift.
Foodinate, a charity that works with restaurants across the city to donate meals to local people in need and supports Mustard Tree, hopes the advent calendar will help raise over 1,200 meals.
Caroline Stevenson, founder of Foodinate, said: “The aim of the Oast House’s human-sized advent calendar will provide enough food to cover around one week’s’ worth of meals for people living below the poverty line. The cold winter months are especially difficult for those in need and the extra meals will be massively appreciated.”
Bar and restaurant group, The New World Trading Company (NWTC), which owns The Oast House, has also teamed up with NSTR, specialists in accountancy practice and corporate finance recruitment, to donate sleeping bags and bedding.
In addition, as part of the partnership with NSTR, visits to the human-sized advent calendar during the first few days of December will also see hundreds of regular sized advent calendars donated to Wood Street Mission, a charity supporting low income families across Manchester and Salford.
Danny Leach, general manager of The Oast House, added: “Advent calendars have become hugely popular and a real celebration of sharing and gifting. We are keen do what we can to extend this to people who are less fortunate. We want as many people as possible to visit the giant advent calendar and open the door each day to help spread Christmas cheer.”
The Oast House’s human-sized advent calendar will be open from 12pm each day from 1 to 24 December, while stocks last. NWTC currently partners with Foodinate, donating meals to vulnerable people every time The Oast House’s Fabulous Fondue is ordered.