Food bank faux pas??

[mydogishot]

I was given (not sure why) a massive box of packs of incontinence pads and pants.
I've been trying to give them away.
No one wants them. I've tried hospices, hospitals, help the aged etc
Worst of all food banks. Russel trust person said and I quote "we don't take things like that!" And laughed whilst hanging up.

Now, I only asked because they've asked for personal items before.
I now feel like giving them nothing (stroppy)

Was I wrong to ask?

I definitely don’t think you were wrong to ask and it’s a pity they didn’t take them.
Would it be worth trying a charity shop? I had a patient once who had found a big box of pads for very little in a charity shop and was delighted to get them cheaply to keep her going until she saw the continence service!

Have you tried a special school or a day centre? We’d be happy to receive them for spares
Otherwise I’ve seen them in charity shops

Good on you for trying to pass the box along. Perhaps try a charity shop, I guess they wouldn’t know which users would find something like that helpful in a food bank.

Residential homes?

No you weren't wrong at all, it's a shame because they are expensive and I'm sure someone would have been really grateful for them.
Could you try a local autism group/charity? I know many parents/carers struggle to find continence products for autistic children that outgrow normal nappies.

Hadn't thought of charity shops! Thank you.

I was really quite insulted by her laughing at me, last Christmas they did publicity for personal items - toothpaste, soap, sanitary towels etc
Not sure what's so different between sanitary and incontinence pads (apart from what it's collecting!)

Is there a local DV shelter that might benefit from them?

Is the outer wrapping completely undamaged and intact? Because if there is any damage to the packaging, it is unlikely that anywhere can take it.
Maybe an animal charity might be able to make use of them for sick animals (as absorbant bedding, not for the intended use )

No damage. Big box from a warehouse containing the smaller packets of ten or so you'd buy in supermarket.

There's around 50 packets in the big box.

Not sure why I got sent it.

You've all given me great ideas for them though, thank you all.

I've seen baby nappies in Charity shops .
I've given bed protectors and a waterproof sleeping bag liner (I checked they'd take them and explained what they were for an they were clean) they said people often looked for young DC and older children who had enuresis.

Well worth a try .

I had a load of food I wanted to donate (from my pantry when I tidied it) all good,, in date .
They only allowed drop offs on a Monday. I was at work, I could do Friday? No. Only a Monday between 12-2 .
I took it to the supermarket collection.

Offer them to your local branch of help the aged? I bet they could give them out.

Freecycle?

Could you try a local day care centre?
Or I have seen them posted on local freebay sites on Facebook

Offer them on Facebook buy/sell group, Gumtree or Next Door?

Do you have a Local Facebook free/selling page? Offer them on there. Someone is bound to want them.

Very ignorant of Foodbank person who has possibly not considered that some clients are too embarrassed to ask for them.

It was a good thought, OP and I'm irritated that you received that response.

Freecycle?

I work for a hospice and as long as the packet is unopened then we often accept donations from people ( often after a patient has died and the relatives have a stock at home). Obviously we wouldn't take them if they had come form the home of someone with an infection or something.

We have a CRAP page (Conserving Resources, Associating People) on Facebook for our area. Free items only, selling is banned. Maybe have a look for something like that on there?

Or email the food bank and explain why they might want to accept them after all.

I am intrigued! Who sent it to you??

70isa - I had a similar experience with our local food bank..

I wanted to do a big Tesco order at Christmas & get it delivered to them; they couldn’t do that. Could I arrange for it to be dropped off at someone’s house? No.

I ended up taking a £250 donation to a drop off point and didn’t get even a nod of thanks.

I know the people who need to use food banks would still benefit from my donation, but I’m far less inclined to do big donations again,

Was gonna say free cycle.

Think it's terrible they didn't want them. Hate when you're trying to be charitable and you can't get rid of good things!

I also see them as toiletries re food bank

I use tena pads for heavy periods as many women do. If I had to use a foodbank I would have been so relieved to see them on offer as regular pads are useless to me.