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Original poster

To anyone who has ever donated to a food bank...

181 replies

ThrowThoseCurtainsWide · 14/03/2019 19:04

Thank you, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you Flowers

The DCs and I left our family home this week. as we were fleeing domestic violence. It's been a really shitty week, but thanks to all of your food bank donations our cupboard looks like this. The volunteers there were so welcoming to me, gave me tea, checked I was okay and they're going to make sure there are some bits waiting for me next week that weren't available today.

I've been overwhelmed by the generosity of people. Friends of a friend have given us bags of toys.

If you ever lose your faith in mankind, remember that the kindness of strangers has provided food and happiness to my children this week. I couldn't be more grateful.

Thank you Flowers

To anyone who has ever donated to a food bank...
OP posts:
hiddeneverything · 14/03/2019 20:20



puppy23 · 14/03/2019 20:18

Sending so much love to you, hope you have a great new start

UnderHerEye · 14/03/2019 20:13

Best of luck OP Flowers

sleepismysuperpower1 · 14/03/2019 20:12

Wishing you all the best OP Flowers may i ask what items were particularly helpful? i would love to know which bits and bobs actually get used up x

feelingverylazytoday · 14/03/2019 20:10

You're welcome, OP. I've donated and used a food bank myself, I know what it feels like. Hope your life gets better.

shiningstar2 · 14/03/2019 20:07

Good luck op. I often wonder why food banks don't ask for non perishables beyond food. I mean shower gel, washing powder, shampoo, tooth paste ext ext. I know food is the primary concern but if items like these were also put in people's bags at the food bank it would release some of the client's money for them to buy fresh things the food bank can't store, like bread, potatoes, eggs, fruit. I always look at the advised list at my local supermarket and thought of asking them to add these things to the list.

Bananasarenottheonlyfruit · 14/03/2019 20:07

Well done on getting out OP.

@billybagpuss all my local supermarkets have a collection point year round, it just gets tucked away a lot of the time.

I tend to donate things like tinned fruit and rice puddings, custard, tinned veg, sponge puddings.

HermioneWeasley · 14/03/2019 20:07

Glad you’re away and safe, and getting lots of support.

Good luck for a brighter future

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 14/03/2019 19:54

Good luck to you OP and well done for protecting your wee family

anniehm · 14/03/2019 19:52

Your local food bank is best placed to advise on foods as it depends where you live - here they ask for tinned tomatoes and chickpeas but there's a large Asian population.

MrsIronfoundersson · 14/03/2019 19:52

And good luck!

MrsIronfoundersson · 14/03/2019 19:52

Please let us know what you would like, I do basics and then some choc/biscuits but if there are particular things that are useful, that would be good to know.

Badgerbird · 14/03/2019 19:51

Great job on getting you and your family to safety you brave wonderful woman you!

How thoughtful of you to come in here to thank people Smile

Stay safe and I wish you all the luck with your future. X

ToeToToe · 14/03/2019 19:50

That's so heartwarming OP. I give to food banks, and other charities on the basis of "there but for the grace of god go I.." Glad there was some help for you this week. Good luck and stay safe Thanks

anniehm · 14/03/2019 19:50

Thank you! We collect for our local one a few times a year at work but wish we could sponsor families to buy them a full shop in circumstances like yours, proper vegetables etc. Remember if you are running low there's also lots of projects with hot food too, I have a list of everywhere in my city on my notice board at work so I'm sure other councils do the same.

longtimelurkerhelen · 14/03/2019 19:50

@ThrowThoseCurtainsWide

Well done for being so brave and strong, wish you all the luck in the world.

@billybagpuss

You can find a donation drop off point here www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

You can google food bank and your postcode to find the nearest to your location.

OhHolyFcuk · 14/03/2019 19:50

I'm not OP but I refer people to food banks a lot for the same reason
We get loads of kidney beans/haricot beans/chickpeas which tbh don't tend to get used
Any 'full' meals are good do hearty soups, tinned curries, microwave rice, pasta sauces, tinned sausages
And high calorie stuff - biscuits, tinned cakes, rice pudding etc because often people in stressful situations just pick at food and it's good to have stuff to keep them going
Cereals, tea, coffee, sugar always useful too
And any kids bits, lots of our families feel bad they can't afford treat stuff for the children

Hope that helps

Ariela · 14/03/2019 19:48

I regularly donate as there's a bin in Waitrose, often nice stuff like Jordans cereal, chocolate biscuits or tinned salmon, as well as regular staples, because I figure a treat every now and then would be good for morale.

TodoDoingDone · 14/03/2019 19:48

All the best for your new life!

I'm not in the Uk but going to donate online.

buckeejit · 14/03/2019 19:48

Bless you OP - hope there are much happier times ahead for you & your family

JamesBondFire · 14/03/2019 19:47

What a fantastic post to read! Well done for leaving and I wish you and your kids luck for the future.

Miljah · 14/03/2019 19:47

Is there a toy and/or book bank? Somewhere people can take no longer wanted stuff, like toys, books, games, jigsaws, so people like the OP can choose what they'd like?

I'm near Southampton.

I'd be delighted to donate to such a thing.

Most people are only 3 payslips away from catastrophe.

slowco4ch · 14/03/2019 19:45

The best is yet to come. You're so strong for leaving and one day it will be you giving back. You've done an amazing thing to get out. Always remember that! Star

Nonameyet1 · 14/03/2019 19:45

That made me well up. What a lovely thank you and I’m so glad you are safe and giving hope to others out there in similar situations!

Mrsmadevans · 14/03/2019 19:44

Wonderful post OP, wishing you and your Dc a lovely life out of pain and fear .

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