At a time of rising costs and pressures on family budgets, artsdepot wants to reach out to those on low incomes providing a celebration opportunity this December. Finchley Food Bank is currently supporting 400-500 people weekly and they are super excited about working with us to offer Christmas Hampers to families in need. The hampers will include crackers, biscuits, sweet treats, cranberry jelly & other items that will alleviate stretched budgets and ensure everyone has a seat at the party. The hampers will include show vouchers enabling families to treat themselves to either The Smeds and The Smoos in our Pentland Theatre, or a largely nor-verbal show 'Snow' in our Studio Theatre. Participating families will then be offered further vouchers against shows, workshops & our summer camp over 2023 ensuring access to the creative opportunities available in our venue to local people on low incomes.

What we'll deliver:

• 80 Christmas hampers for families facing food poverty
• 40 show vouchers this December- 100 tickets
• a further 100 tickets over 2023 & 5 places on our Summer Camp

Why it's a great idea:

The Christmas hampers will contain celebration items families are used to buying in December ensuring those on low incomes can get into the party spirit. The hampers will also include show vouchers. A trip to artsdepot to see a Christmas show is a highlight in many local families' annual calendar - providing vouchers with the hampers will open that opportunity to families who otherwise could not afford a trip to the theatre. These moments of celebration and family time are essential for good mental health and wellbeing. It's also important that everyone has the same opportunities for a good standard of living despite (growing) income inequality. Our project is about saying everyone is valued, and everyone's life experience is valued. As we move into 2023 participating families will receive further vouchers and children will be offered places on our 2023 Summer Camp.

Steps to get it done:

• Distribute 80 Christmas Hampers through Finchley Food Bank
• Distribute 100 Christmas show tickets through Finchley Food Bank
• Provide 100 further tickets and 5 summer camp places over 2023