MIL gave children gifts from a homeless charity for christmas!

Totally- but the one OPs MIL used isn’t is it?

Yes - but when we buy we wrap them or put them in gift bags - actually the charity asks that you hand in wrapping paper so they check the presents first - but they do come from the parent on the day. Someone else just buys it

Op might be confusing a pantry with a food bank. Sounds like she hates her MIL.

Totally- but the one OPs MIL used isn’t is it?

That will be a community pantry not a foodbank.

It absolutely would not happen in the charity that I've been donating to over the past few years. Every gift is handed over to the people who need it. It's well run and professional

They don't, but they tend to be smaller, localised ones ie where you'd think OP's mother would be recognised after multiple visits. Or maybe she identifies ones which don't need referrals and drives around.
Whoever is running the 'no questions asked' ones need to know that some morally bankrupt people are using them. They may question why they are giving up their own time to volunteer.

It's not a community pantry - it doesn't advertise itself as that. Not all food banks require referrals

Absolutely disgraceful behaviour on your MIL behalf. Unless someone properly pulls her up on her behaviour, this will continue forever more.
She is literally stealing from families that can't even afford to feed their children.
Public naming and shaming is what she needs so the locals know what absolutely scummy thing she's doing!

It's not a community pantry - it doesn't advertise itself as that. Not all food banks require referrals

I'm actually happy to give the gifts I give in good faith. I do understand your point but the charity I buy for helps 17000 families every year and I would rather take the chance than not donate

Thats it really, just a bit taken aback!

MIL is a strange one at the best of times, always expects but never wants to give. She didnt get my children (her first and only grandchildren aged 2 and 4) anything last year but asked my dh why we didnt gift her anything. Anyway, fast forward to this christmas.

she came over for christmas day with two big paper bags full of toys for both my children, i was shocked as the only thing shes ever brought them is a pair of socks.. children both started opening said gifts when my dd bought me over a piece of paper that was inside to read im assuming thinking it was a christmas card.
i started reading and to my absoloute horror it said “merry christmas from community assosiation” then at the bottom had a box ticked boy x girl x age and packed by x x x

i was absoloutley shocked, didnt make a thing of it until she had left later in the evening when i bought it up to dh. He completley didnt understand the situation and brushed it off.

googled the charity and its a homeless charity for children and adults facing homelessness and fleeing abuse (none of which she is!) no idea how on earth shes wrangled this but im absoloutley seething with anger at her for being so selfish taking from vulnerable children, lying and also not giving two hoots about her grandchildren that she cant even purchase them a gift.
the gifts were gorgeous and worth id say £60 per child easily that people have clearly bought to donate in good will.

What would you do? Do i confront her? Do i tell the chairty?

That will be a community pantry not a foodbank.

Possibly if they were still in the packaging but not otherwise. The charity I donate to ask people to buy new and not second hand

Yes it is, you can just turn up to our local one on certain days of the week- no refferal needed!

What she did is unforgivable! I’d make it my personal mission to destroy her for this.

Some food banks don't require referrals. One in my area doesn't. Anyone can use it

She must be lying if she is getting food from the food bank. I volunteer for a Trussell trust food bank. Every client has a record on the computer. They will have been asked a lot of personal details. If she regularly calls to request a food parcel she will have had even more questions asked.
I am very, very surprised she is getting away with this.

As a pp said above it could be a Community Pantry set up to avoid food waste and available to all. I volunteer for an actual Foodbank and you can't get anything without a voucher from Social Services, Citizen's advice, housing department etc.

Not at all actually, you are the only one as others have clearly understood ❤️. I hope you make it one day

That's a shame. Even if they're unopened? I guess then sell them and give profit to the charity, or just donate something of same value to them?

If she's using food banks, it isn't unlikely that she's been approached about this scheme and asked if she has grandchildren. It may not have been her initiative I mean.

ETA - following you last post, HOW is she able to access food banks if she's well off and earning?!