ISLANDERS are once again being urged to contribute to Mustard Seed Jersey’s “Christmas Shoebox Appeal”.
The annual initiative seeks to spread holiday joy to families and displaced children in countries such as Ukraine and Romania who would typically receive very little or nothing for Christmas.
Mustard Seed Jersey was set up by Islander Rose Pallot in 1988 to provide essential items for people in the Bihor region of Romania. Initially the donations were packed in shoeboxes but, in 2011, the charity expanded to launch the Bread for Life initiative, which invites Islanders to give money to help with food, winter fuel and medical needs.
In 2023, Mustard Seed Jersey send 3,647 Christmas shoeboxes from Jersey to Romania and Ukraine. As transport and distribution costs are high, anyone who can help with this is asked to donate to the following bank account (reference: “CHRISTMAS”): Mustard Seed Jersey Appeal, Sort code: 40-25-41, Account: 71135333.
If donating a shoebox, the charity has asked for all items included to be as good as new, preferably new. Each box should be suitable for a child of either gender, and all items of clothing – ideally socks, hats, gloves and scarves – should be the appropriate size for the designated age group.
The charity also specifies that any tins of food must have a use-by date of 2026. No war-related toys or items that could be used as weapons will be accepted.
More details on how to donate a shoebox and what to include, are at mustardseed.org.je. Alternatively, people can email mustardseedjersey@yahoo.co.uk or rose@mustardseed.org.je.
