Mumsnet Talk

What an amazing thread. This is all that is good about human nature...the true meaning of Christmas.

Good for you. I've done this for a friend before and I agree that it's better than loaning money. I'm still waiting to be repaid by two friends - I guess the trick is never to give anything you can't afford to lose

I'd second the crisps and a bit of chocolate as a little treat for the kids if they usually get nowt.

Hi, she's in Thornton Heath, which is on the outskirts of Croydon

It sounds really sad to read this, we really dont realise how lucky we are. Could you tell us which town she is in and maybe one of could help out. I have a working microwave that needs a new home.

If she goes to CAB they can issue food bank vouchers. Some of us also keep an informal 'food cupboard' and can issue a few tins direct to clients in an emergency.

Yes freecycle is wonderful. We Got our microwave from there.

you are a true friend

Have you tried freecycle? There's always people on my local one advertising microwaves and washing machines

Thanks for your comments everyone.

In the end the other friend actually 'lent' her £50, although of course it remains to be seen if/how she will ever pay it back.

I invited them over to tea yesterday and made sure that both of them ate well, and then sent her home with a couple of big bags of supplies. Didn't have time to get quite everything on the list because the tea idea was a bit spur of the moment but I managed most of it.

I've also investigated nearby food banks for her in case she ever gets to crisis point again. It turns out to be suprisingly difficult to use a food bank! Essentially you need a voucher, which you can only get from social worker/GP/health visitor etc, which of course is very hard on a weekend. Not to mention that 2 of the 3 local ones are closed on a weekend. It seems that you can only have a crisis and need a food bank on a weekday around here...!

She doesn't have anything to sell unfortunately, but I'm investigating charities at the moment to try and get her a working washing machine and microwave.

What a nice friend she has in you

My aunt did the same thing for us when we were really struggling and I will always be grateful to her, I have a friend who is about to be in a similar situation and plan to give her a food hamper as a house warming present.

This is what she put in it

Bread
Milk
Eggs
Cheese
Pasta
Tinned tomatoes
Tin sweetcorn
Frey bentos pie
Onions
Carrots
Potatoes
Butter
Tinned tuna
Rice
Frozen peas
Tea bags
Hot chocolate
Flour
Caster sugar
Sugar
Jam
Mince big family pack that I split into 3 and froze
Chicken breasts
Bacon
Pizza
Variety pack of cereal
Biscuits
Orange squash
Stock cubes

It helped so much because I had the ingrediants to make spaghetti bolognese, bacon pasta, chicken pasta, chicken pie, minced beef and onion pie, cottage pie, omlettes, jacket potatoes, tuna pasta bake, cakes and more, think I fed us for a month on what she had given us

Surely the £20 she has borrowed will see her through until Monday?

Can you give her some of your time? If she has confided in you about everything that is going on, can you take her out for a coffee. ? Just getting out from inside 4 walls and seeing a bit of daylight/sunshine can change your mood.

Can you be my friend too, you sound wonderful

When I'm living on a budget (have had to many times due to changing circumstances) I tend to buy stores own brand noodles, a teriyaki sauce, tinned beans etc, lots of fresh vegetables, frozen vegetables and some freezer bags.

I make the noodles up, chuck a cooked chicken breast in with some cooked veggies (usually from the frozen lot) and some teriyaki sauce. Cheap teriyaki noodles, my two year old loves them. Every time I cook a meal, I portion some out into a freezer bag and chuck it in the freezer for when I'm skint. I use as many of the fresh veggies as poss, then chuck the rest in a big pot and make a soup. Sweet potatoes, carrots etc make a great base for a yummy soup. I only chuck one stock cube in for a big pot of soup, it goes a long way.

Not sure if any of this helps, but sure your friend will remember your gesture much longer than if you'd just given her money. X

Lovely idea!

I'd also include toothpaste, shampoo/shower gel and an all-purpose spray cleaner.

What a lovely friend you are. I wouldn't lend her money because she may expect it from you again. Get some basics like value rice pudding, porridge,milk,beans,bread,pasta,ham,perhaps some fruit.

Does she have anything she can sell ? like a mobile phone perhaps or some jewellry ?

what a good friend you are.

There are porridge pots that just need boiling water added (I suppose they have powdered milk in) - might be nice for hot filling breakfasts for the kids? Oastsosimple or something like that I think.

second what the others have said re stuff that will last - tins, frozen, dried etc. jars of pasta sauce sounds perfect, she can add it to mince for spag bol, or just pour in on for a quick meal.

What about a bag of chicken breasts for the freezer and some jars of chicken tonight type sauces?

Frozen chips if you want to treat the kids, or alphabet shapes.

I'm trying to think of stuff that does't need much prep because she's probably really stressed.

Some sound financial advice or a shove towards CAB would be helpful too, if she hasn't already had it. As someone above said, just doing a bit of googling with a clear head might be amazing if she's in a panic. If they kids don't get free school meals making sure that gets sorted.

Honestly, reading your post has made me a bit teary-eyed, because it's just such a nice thing to do.

You sound lovely

I too wouldn't start lending money . A "friend" of mine borrowed £40.00 she was in a very similar situation , she has 6 kids . I never did get all the money back

I wouldnt lend money. As already suggested take store cupboard staples but buy the value type brands so you get more for your money.

When people get themselves in this sort of situation they often 'can't see the wood for the trees' so could I suggest you start making some calls on her behalf or Google local charities to see what is available.

Possibly also help her with her weekly budget to see what she is buying. Find out when the markdowns are done in the local supermarket, I do this and then I batch bake and freeze.

There may also be additiinal benefits she is unaware of.

Does she have anything saleable you could put on Ebay? Does she have any skills she can use to make money?

What a wonderful thing to do for your friend.
I would only say, not porridge or wheatabix, you need milk to eat them both.
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jul/18/food-banks-on-hand-outs
The list seems good, I would second fruit/veg.
If you were worried what to buy Tesco do a vouchers so you could gift a voucher if you were unsure what to get.

Probably best if you give her the money rather than lend it as you may not get it back.
I would go to your local supermarket and see if they have marked down food at theend of the day. Take your list but play it by ear.

Good luck.

YOu sound lovely.

I tend to look at store cupboard and freezer items

So tinned or frozen veg.
tin toms
uht milk etc

maybe even a couple of home made meals (if she is in real state she might not be able to cook)

basically anything italian can be padded out
chili is good too
tinned tuna, cheese, condenced chicken soup =tuna pasta bake

can you be my friend? Just in case I´m ever in need of a hand up?

More good suggestions thanks.

Yes I know what you meant about the treats, maybe I'll reconsider the crisps and add some chocolate!

Thanks all

That's lovely.
Porridge oats and a bag of sultanas?
When we were really tightly budgeting this made sure the DC had a hot, cheap breakfast.
Tesco value ones were perfectly fine.

You are lovely. Add a bar of choc in it will you as a treat? There's not nutritional value but everyone deserves a little treat.

That sound very generous. What a kind friend you are. I'd also take round a few tins, coffee, tea bags, and washing powder/tablets. If you can manage that.