Reverse Advent

A traditional Advent Calendar involves the owner receiving a small gift each day throughout the 24 days of Advent. In contrast, a Reverse Advent Calendar encourages the owner to give a small gift each day during this period.

At the end of Advent, the collection of gifts can be donated to the intended recipients. In our case, this will benefit the patrons of the McCordsville United Methodist Church Food Pantry.

It serves as a simple daily reminder that we are sharing God’s greatest love with those around us.

How Reverse Advent Works

Each year, our congregation is invited to participate in Reverse Advent by filling a box with a specific list of shelf-stable food items provided by the church. Boxes typically begin the last week of November and are collected the Sunday before Christmas.

These boxes are then distributed to Food Pantry patrons during the week of Christmas or the week of New Year’s, often in addition to their regular pantry pickup. Each box represents a meaningful gift of nourishment and care, helping families during a season when needs are often greater.