Frequently Asked Questions

We close applications once we hit capacity, we strongly advise you get your applications in as soon as possible.

• Any NE postcode (NE1 to NE71)
• Any DH postcode (DH1 to DH9)
• DL postcodes between DL1 to DL5 or DL12 to DL17 (i.e. Not DL6 to DL11)
• Any SR postcode (SR1 to SR8)
• Any TS postcode (TS1 to TS29)
• TD15 (Berwick upon Tweed)

This is due to the way we have organised our distribution points, and where we are able to accept donations. We are hopeful that this will be expanded next year.

Any food donations can be dropping off at any Home Bargains store in the North-East Region.

Applications that are not completed properly will be closed after 14 days and declined.

In order to qualify you need to upload evidence of one of the following:

• Universal Credit
• Tax credit
• Income support
• Pension credit
• NASS
• 3 recent payslips

The document(s) you need to upload must:

• Be a scan or photograph of an official document, or a screen print if you only have access to on-line documentation
• Be clearly legible and in no way tampered with or defaced

Each application is manually checked in accordance with the Charity Commission's guidelines. Unclear documents may delay the application, or negatively affect the approval.

The process should take no more than 5-10 minutes if you have prepared all of the information in advance.

You will need some way of scanning or uploading documents. If you have a smart phone, this is the easiest way to apply as you can photograph your documents directly on the upload step.

Remember that there is no guarantee that you will be matched to a family; it will depend on the number of donors that sign up - you may be matched within a few days, or right up until the start of December. Due to the economic crisis we expect demand to rise and we cannot guarantee that we can provide a matched christmas dinner for every family who would like one. Your best chance of receiving a match is to apply early

All of the information you enter will be stored on a secure database on a UK server hosted by Microsoft. Twelve months after the programme ends, this data and uploaded documents will be completely deleted, including all back-ups taken.

We guarantee not to share any information with any third parties. We do not contact credit agencies, or pass on any personal data.

We will only contact you with regard to your application, and, if you have provided consent, we may contact you in January for feedback so we can improve our service or to let you know about future projects.