Local businesses are help bring daily festive treats to the city’s most vulnerable people.
The People’s Kitchen has unveiled a unique and meaningful twist on the traditional advent calendar this year—one designed to bring joy, warmth, and comfort to every Friend who visits the charity throughout December.
Each day leading up to Christmas, a special door will be opened to reveal a gift for everyone who attends. The treats vary from sweets and chocolate to essentials such as socks, toiletries, and winter warmers—small but important items that show care, dignity, and festive kindness.
To make the advent calendar possible, local businesses were invited to sponsor individual days with a financial donation. One of the organisations stepping forward was Morpeth-based Highlights PR, run by Keith Newman.
Keith chose to sponsor December 17th, a date that holds personal significance—it marks his and his wife Lesley’s 26thwedding anniversary. In a heart-warming coincidence, the treat selected for that day was Matchmakers, a chocolate his family has always associated with the festive season.
“The People’s Kitchen means so much to the community, and it felt right to support something that brings a smile at what can be a difficult time of year for many,” said Keith. “Sponsoring our anniversary date made it even more special—and discovering the sweets were Matchmakers felt like a little Christmas magic.”
Trustee Maggie Pavlou said,” We’d like to thank each of the businesses that sponsored this year’s advent calendar. These gifts are small gestures but can make a big difference to our Friends.”
The People’s Kitchen supports vulnerable people in the North East of England. Opening in 1985, it provides hot meals, clothing packages, toiletries, food and sleeping bags to those who might be sleeping rough or recently placed in housing with no belongings. Run entirely by volunteers, The People’s Kitchen serves around 300 hot meals a day, 365 days a year.
To help feed the charity’s “friends”, for just £5, donors can provide a hot festive meal, companionship, and essential support for someone who would otherwise go without this Christmas. The campaign is about more than just food. It’s about friendship. Because the charity is run entirely by volunteers, every penny raised goes directly to supporting people in need. Any funds not used during the festive season will help provide meals throughout the year ahead.
For more information, visit https://peopleskitchen.co.uk/
JUST GIVING https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/peopleskitchen2025
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