Christmas is a time for giving, but for families facing financial difficulties, the festive season can bring additional worries. One Staffordshire takeaway business is hoping to ease some of that pressure by turning everyday food orders into Christmas presents and food hampers for people who need them most.
Sizzlers Fast Food, which operates in Abbey Hulton and Kidsgrove and is preparing to open a new shop in Leek, is bringing back its annual Christmas appeals, with a target of providing 1,000 presents for local children and at least 100 food hampers for elderly residents.
The initiative, led by Arfan Mohammed, will see Sizzlers donate £1 from every order placed across its three shops towards purchasing Christmas presents and supporting its seasonal appeals.
Importantly, the £1 contribution comes directly from Sizzlers, meaning customers will not pay anything extra for their orders.
Arfan Mohammed - Owner of Sizzlers
Making Christmas special for 1,000 children
Rather than simply collecting toys and distributing them at random, Sizzlers works with local schools and community groups that liaise with social services to identify children whose parents or carers may be unable to afford Christmas presents.
The business works with schools to establish each child's age and gender, helping to ensure the gifts are appropriate for the individual receiving them.
The aim is to provide 1,000 presents, continuing the target Sizzlers sets itself each Christmas.
For families who may be struggling financially, the appeal is intended to ensure their children have something to open on Christmas Day.
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100 food hampers to support elderly residents this winter
Alongside the children's toy appeal, Sizzlers is continuing another community initiative that has been running for the past five years.
Its annual food hamper appeal aims to support elderly residents who may be facing difficult decisions about household finances during the colder months.
With some older people having to weigh up the cost of heating their homes against buying food, the hampers are intended to provide practical support during winter.
Sizzlers has guaranteed at least 100 food hampers as part of this year's appeal.
Together, the two initiatives share a simple ambition: to help ensure nobody goes without this winter.
How Staffordshire residents can support the Christmas appeals
The fundraising initiative will begin after Bonfire Night, with £1 from every Sizzlers order going towards the Christmas appeals.
Members of the public can also donate toys for the children's appeal or food items for the elderly residents' hampers by dropping them off at any of the three Sizzlers locations.
Sizzlers kindly asks that members of the public do not send monetary donations. Instead, anyone wishing to support the appeals can donate toys or food hamper items at one of the participating Sizzlers shops, or simply place an order, with £1 from every order going directly towards the Christmas appeals at no additional cost to customers.
Examples of how Sizzlers has helped people in the local area this year
Sizzlers donation drop off locations:
Abbey Hulton
51 Abbots Road, Abbey Hulton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8DU
Kidsgrove
4 Market Street, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 4AB
Leek (opening soon)
11 St Edward Street, Leek, ST13 5DR
(Donations at this location will be possible once the shop opens)
Whether it is a toy for a child or an item of food for an elderly neighbour, every donation will help Sizzlers work towards its Christmas targets.
With 1,000 presents to provide and at least 100 hampers promised, the appeal is another example of how Staffordshire businesses can play a part in supporting their communities during the festive season.
For families who may be struggling financially, the appeal is intended to ensure their children have something to open on Christmas Day.
At the heart of the initiative is one simple belief:
“no child should go without a toy this Christmas”.
Something big is coming to Abbey Hulton
Sizzlers is also planning something big for Abbey Hulton, with an exciting new community project in the works.
While details are yet to be revealed, Arfan will be inviting local residents to share their thoughts and opinions as plans progress.
To find out more and have your say as the project develops, make sure you're following Sizzlers on Facebook for the latest updates.
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