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AMA
Original poster

I manage a food bank... AMA!

107 replies

FoodBankManager · 04/01/2023 07:49

Hi all,

I run a food bank as part of my job. We have recently opened up our community shop, too, which means people who have received emergency food parcels can pay £3 per week to choose items for 3 months to help them get back on their feet.

AMA!

OP posts:
Original poster
FoodBankManager · 05/01/2023 23:50

Cherrysherbet · 05/01/2023 23:14

Thank you to you and all your wonderful volunteers op 🙏🏻

Thank you for your support 🥰

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 05/01/2023 23:51

My parents help out with one. People can self refer, my parents are surprised that some of them seem to be taking the piss.

Original poster
FoodBankManager · 05/01/2023 23:53

Jewel1968 · 05/01/2023 23:20

Do you think there is a better alternative to foodbanks? Do you think vouchers to be used in any shop would be better? Perhaps using an app?

I've just typed out a reply to @SplishSplashIWasTakingABath re vouchers.

I think the alternative is an overhaul in education and the benefits system. But until then I think we're doing a good job!

OP posts:
Original poster
FoodBankManager · 05/01/2023 23:57

RaininSummer · 05/01/2023 23:46

Is it a hard rule that you don't use anything out of date? I ask because I buy a lot of my own groceries from a store which is heavily discounted because the goods are over best before dates. It seems shame as there is so much more for the money that way

No we'd still use them but inspect them beforehand. Some items from FareShare have guidance about how long past the BBE we should use them. Other items we'd still distribute, but equally I don't think it's fair to give something years out of date in an emergency food parcel because it's undignifying enough without getting others cast offs.

OP posts:
Original poster
FoodBankManager · 05/01/2023 23:59

Toddlerteaplease · 05/01/2023 23:51

My parents help out with one. People can self refer, my parents are surprised that some of them seem to be taking the piss.

I can imagine! We allow community shop members to self refer but do vet them beforehand. Our volunteers are good as sussing out the ones who aren't quite as desperate as others!

OP posts:
Namechangingagain111 · 06/01/2023 00:39

FoodBankManager · 05/01/2023 23:41

I completely get where your friend is coming from! I spotted 5yr out of date soup last year but our volunteers may well have across other stuff that I've not seen.

We had a strange donation a few years ago - lots of boxes of cereal with the dates torn off the top or tin with no labels! It came from someone we knew living a few doors away from us and I suspected they'd cleared out their cupboards and didn't want to fill their bins with stuff they didn't want.

Show quote history

Yes, they get lots of items where people have clearly just emptied their cupboards out of all the crap that's been sitting there for years.
Half eaten bars of chocolates, half empty jars of coffee - I'm always gobsmacked when I hear the latest ridiculous thing that someone has donated !!
Thanks for all you do !!

RaininSummer · 06/01/2023 00:40

That seems reasonable. Thank for your reply.

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