What to donate to food bank

[Medicaltextbook]

When I can I do a food bank shop with my weekly shop. I'm happy to buy supermarket own brands basic for myself and to donate. Certain food I prefer the main supermarket or well known brand because I find the other less tasty or more salty.

Each time I wonder whether to get what I'm getting or to get the basic to donate so it tastes better (in my opinion) or is healthier, or the basic because then I can buy more and maybe help more people.

What would you do?

Sorry that post is a bit mangled - hope you understand the question anyway.

At the foodbank I help out at we buy basics stuff to top up donations as it makes the money go further. We get a variety of branded, supermarket own and basics donated and don't really have a preference, but what is important is that we have the quantity of food needed to help out those who need it, so if you can buy three tins of basic versus one tin of branded, that helps more.

Our local food bank asks for non perishable stuff like pasta, rice, tea, coffee, sugar, cereal, tins.

And tampons, shower gel, soap

Just give what you can, branded or not!

For me, practicalities are more important than brands. Short cooking time, easy ringpulls, resealable packets, complete meals, etc so minimal equipment, fuel and other resources will be required.

To make your money stretch, try the discounters such as Home Bargains. Not as convenient to you as adding to your supermarket shop, though.

A direct debit helps the food bank most of all.

Yes, my local one wants non- perishables. There are two or three in the area. One has the generic trussell trust list which doesn't include toiletries. The other also run by under the trust asks for specific sizes - for example 80 teabags rather than larger boxes, litres of UHT milk not smaller ones. It also has a list of things they need and things they need but it isn't updated so last time I looked a few weeks ago they wanted treats for Easter.

That's a really good idea Mrs Hathaway. I don't often do that because my disability means I'm not great at carrying things and not able to drive, but if I do go I think I'll do that.

Sorry didn't thank you NannyR

The lady at ours said they don't get much protein type food, so I always try to put in things like tinned beef stew, or fray bentos chicken pies. They aren't what I'd choose to feed my family, but as they can't take fresh meat products they are still useful.

Fray bentos pies are very, very popular at our food bank. You can sometimes get them on offer at £1 each.

I try and get things that can be cooked quickly on the hob or using boiling water from a kettle (instant custard, tinned meat stew etc) or eaten cold - tins of tuna, tinned fruit etc. I sometimes buy in Iceland, they have a lot of multibuy offers on tinned goods.

I always go for sanitary products, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo and shower gels.

Also good breakfast things like shredded wheat or weetabix.

I volunteer at a food bank and know staples such as tinned tomatoes, vegetables, potatoes, meats, and deserts are always needed. Packets of rice and pasta are good too, plus jars of cooking sauces.

We would rather have several own brands than one good brand, but every donation is gratefully received regardless.

Thanks all.