Food banks for the school holidays

[GloGirl]

Posting on here for traffic, but as it's AIBU feel free to make it into a food bank bun fight if you want (pun not intended).

I've just been reading through this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2430146-Food-bank-donation-quantity-or-quality-Or-both?

And a poster made an excellent point that families don't have free school meals during the summer holidays.

Just a reminder to bear this in mind during your next supermarket shop if you wanted to throw a few extra items in the Food Bank donation

[ssd]

good post glo.

[Pantone363]

I did this morning. I was there myself 3 years ago and the fear of how to feed your DC for 6 weeks was awful. I chucked in some toothbrushes too.

[YouTheCat]

Thanks for the reminder.

[x2boys]

in my town the children who are entitled to free schoolmeals can be provided with a packed lunch every day of the school holidays if the parents want to pick it up at the designated pickups.

[reddaisy]

But I thought you could only go to a food bank for a set amount of visits? How do you reach the FSM children then?

[WorraLiberty]

I don't know how some of the parents in my area will manage.

The school has a very high FSM uptake and the breakfast club is free for pupils, siblings and parents. Every morning there are whole families eating there.

But how easy is it to get a referral to a food bank? Particularly if the parents are scared of SS being notified?

[insanityscatching]

There were people collecting outside our local supermarket today specifically requesting longlife fruit juice and tinned meat or fish so I bought what they asked for. Not the value brands because I don't buy them for myself but the store brands just because I knew that the quality was good.

[Clutterbugsmum]

WorraLiberty As I posted on the other thread some schools in my area have started to give vouchers to parents of FSM, either weekly or fortnightly.

[Fantasyland]

What areas are these schools that do help families?

My school is in a deprived area constantly hounds people for money and sends snotty letters about voluntary contributions , I cannot imagine my school helping families over the holidays

[Munxx]

My mum runs a "make lunch" project which gives primary school children who get a free school meal a hot lunch and craft activities three times a week every single week of the school holidays.

[reddaisy]

Munxx, that sounds amazing. Well done your mum.

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

I feel for the teen families, some are as big as grown men and complete dustbins. I think that its sad these places have to exist in this day - GOV should be ashamed of themselves. Thank god for those you contribute and distribute to those im need.

[WorraLiberty]

Clutterbugsmum that's good to hear.

Fantasyland, I'm in East London.

[temporarilyjerry]

for Munxx's mum.

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

Mun what a fabulous project that sounds. Does it have a FB page or anything? That's the sort of thing I'd like to donate to.

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

Mun just found their website.
www.makelunch.org.uk/

I know a lot of Mumsnetters won't like that it is church run but I don't care. I love the idea of the project and think things like this make a massive difference.

[MitchellMummy]

Waitrose have the food bank baskets on the way OUT. I did email suggesting they had a sign on the way IN as a reminder. Only once have I ever remembered whilst walking round to buy something for the food bank. That was my last visit (though I don't often shop there) - maybe I'll remember next time. But if others email then maybe they'll do something.

[TheCatsMother99]

Very good point and not something I had thought of myself. Will make sure I put an extra little bit in on my next shop.

[meglet]

mitchell yes, I only ever seen them on the way out. bit late then isn't it! I'll try and email too.

[FreezerBird]

One church local to me (the one which runs the food bank) runs a family lunch club during the summer holidays. Free lunches three days a week for families from the local area. Not just those who get FSM, but everyone. They feed adults too and if the weather's bad they put on a film afterwards. They encourage people who are short of cash to use their money for activities with the kids and to get fed at the lunch club. (I think if it's overbooked priority goes to those with FSM.)

Started last summer and has been amazing - they did a big christmas meal as well and people have really kept in touch I think - it's become a real community thing.

[jeanmiguelfangio]

I always put sanitary towels and tampons. I cannot imagine having to pick between San pro and food.
I'll make sure to pick up some extra pasta and stuff too.
We did have one charity though that wouldn't take any value/smart price whatever products. I use that stuff so I don't think it's bad or anything.

[3of5]

The Trussell Trust were collecting in my local Tescos a couple of weeks ago and handing out a shopping list of what they needed. I thought it was a great idea, picked up a few bits and bobs for them and handed them in. I really liked having the physical reminder to pick stuff up.

[HelenaDove]

I was told by my local Tesco that i couldnt put sanitary towels in. Customer Service rang up to the guy who organised it in our local store and he said no.

So i tweeted Tesco and they couldnt see why not and they tweeted me back a ref number.

[starlight2007]

Our school usually does a collection for food bank this term haven't this year no idea why?

[BeyondTheWall]

I've emailed mine to see if there is anything in particular they want at the moment.

Quick question here (i didnt want to ask in the email and sound scabby plus its run by a vicar and didnt want to embarass him!). I have a load (and i mean about 100!) of wrapped but unboxed tampons that i can no longer use. Do you think they would want them?