The Christmas Donation Hub opens at The Mall Maidstone on 28 November, taking new toys, gifts, decorations and food for ten local charities until 12 December.

The Christmas Donation Hub is coming back to The Mall Maidstone from Saturday 28 November to Saturday 12 December, collecting new toys, gifts and food for ten local charities.

Maidstone Borough Council and The Mall run the hub together. The charities then hand the donations on to people and families who need them most this Christmas, the council said (Maidstone Borough Council).

The Deputy Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Dennis Spooner, will officially open the hub at 11am on Monday 30 November.

What you can give

The hub takes:

  • new children’s toys
  • festive gifts
  • Christmas decorations
  • non-perishable food

It cannot accept used or second-hand items, so everything given has to be new.

Where and when
Where Middle level of The Mall Maidstone, near the food court
Dates Saturday 28 November to Saturday 12 December
Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
Sunday Closed

Volunteers will staff the hub throughout the two weeks.

The ten charities it supports

  • Age UK Maidstone
  • Blackthorn Trust
  • Fusion Healthy Living Centre
  • Street Pastors
  • Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM)
  • Maidstone Community Support Centre
  • Mid Kent Mind
  • The Princess Project
  • Trinity Community Centre
  • Wishing Hearts

What it means for you

If you are buying an extra toy or a tin of something for someone else this Christmas, the hub is the simplest place in town to leave it. Check it is new and unopened before you take it in. The hub closes at 2pm on weekdays, earlier than the shops around it, and it is shut on Sundays.

The Mall car park is open 24 hours, according to Creative Maidstone’s visitor information; see our guide to parking in Maidstone. For late opening and the rest of the town’s Christmas shops, see our Christmas shopping guide.