If you've donated to refuge or foodbank

[Littlejamtart]

Then thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Being in refuge this time of year, with not a lot of money is difficult. I've struggled to buy food, but the food donations we receive help massively, they are currently feeding me and my children, I'm not sure what we would be eating otherwise. And toiletries, this week I got down to the very last of my shampoo, which I had already watered down. And to get given shampoo, baby wash, shower gel, toothpaste, it really really made me feel like I could wash me and my children, and I wasn't worrying anymore.

And back to Christmas, if it wasn't for the extremely generous donations of toys, my children would not be receiving much this christmas, as it is, they have a bag of toys each. And me, for the first time in years, I have a whole gift bag of presents which i can't wait to open.

I'm not usually a christmas person, but this year, I'm excited, and it's all because of the lovely generous people who give. And of course, fantastic refuge staff.

So thank you everyone, and merry Christmas.

P.s this isn't a beg for things thread, I'm absolutely fine now after these donations

Got to admit, it's really nice when you get "luxury" San pro, but honestly, we are very happy with basics.

@LittleSweet please don't worry, luxury things are nice to get, everyone here would be really happy with selection boxes.

Basics is what we need, and it's great that we get them, we really are grateful. Luxury things are just that, a luxury and they do feel extra special, it's a great feeling when I can give my daughter a pudding or something nice.

I gave some food to a homeless charity earlier. When I was a child we had one Christmas after my Dad lost his job where we didn't have much, and we were given a hamper by a local charity which made a huge difference. So I like to pay it forward whenever I can.

My DD went on a school trip to the food back a few years ago with the harvest collection and came back evangelical about it! She’s really inspired our family to support it by buying something extra when we shop. Usually it’s just an item or two but at Christmas they issue a list for hampers that they give out and as a family we all contribute to put one of these together

Also merry Christmas OP. I’m glad you are getting support and I hope that 2020 is a good year for you

We gift as a family but OH & I also organise appeals through our respective schools - it's so good to hear that what we do might make a difference to someone.
I hope you and your children have a lovely Christmas x

Merry Christmas OP. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2020 x

Wishing you all the best for 2020! Merry Christmas

I hadn't thought of toys. I'll add them.

I hope life improves for you OP.

I'm donating to a local charity that helps families escaping from abuse get set up in their own homes. I've donated children's clothes, toys, toiletries up to now, have done a hamper for Christmas for a family who just got given an empty council house that the charity owner was getting carpeted & furnished for them to move in to this weekend, I put some christmas decorations, luxury bits of food, tin of biscuits, crackers, selection boxes in it. I'm hoping to move house next year & will be refurbnishing my own home but will donate everything I don't need to this charity. I escaped from an abusive marriage & without my parent's help would have been in exactly the same situation as these families.

I found out earlier in the year that the local food bank has a big centre that accepts Tesco deliveries. I do all my grocery shopping online now, so I wasn't donating to the food bank like I normally did and I emailed the food bank to find out if they could accept a Tesco delivery.

It was much easier - I checked the list of what they needed and did a shop to be delivered direct - I don't think they advertise it enough, but it's only Tesco I've found does it as an option, I couldn't work out how to do it on any of the others. Means I donate every few months (needs a minimum in spend for delivery). This time round I put some advent calendars in the November delivery. I know it's not essential, but I think to be able to give a child a chocolate calendar might make December just a little bit brighter.

And this year, we involved the children in deciding what charities we donated to - dd is 10 and it's important to me that she understands how others aren't as lucky as we are and the need to help and support others when we can.

@LittleSweet it isn't so much luxury items, but can the item be used on it's own / make a meal. So if the luxury item is smoked oysters or honey mustard it isn't so useful, but top of the range instant coffee, crab meat and salmon are.

Also - long dates. Mince pies and advent calendars are not great because they won't last until next Christmas & we tend to get tons of them all at once. But tea, coffee, juice, lunch box things, san pro, long life milk (including vegan options) razors (and male toiletries) tinned meat & fish, tinned vege, herbs and spices, stock cubes, and dry goods which can be used later in the year - the end of the summer holidays until the harvest festival boxes come in is a time of real shortage for us. This is because need goes up over the summer when families no longer get free school meals and donors go away so less is coming in.

OP - I am glad you are in a better space now. Happy Christmas to you and your kids. xx

It's lovely to hear from the other side of things and know that it's more than appreciated.

I hope your 2020 goes well for you.

Food, advent calendars and toys. I view this always as paying it forward. We donated a car a few years ago to a family who it needed and it's just failed now.

Our family had help from friends when we set out and I believe you need to give something back

Op.. you’re me 5 years ago. I was then offered a flat in January, which was a big step to getting back on my feet. With help from the women’s charity I was able to access counselling, which helped me move on with my head straight. My life isn’t perfect, but it makes me happy, just me and my dc. I just want to wish you a merry Christmas, and I hope 2020 is a fabulous year for you. x

We always put stuff like tins of Tuna, corned beef, Sweetcorn and, curries, stews, ratatouille etc that, at a push, can be tucked into cold. Ditto ready cooked rice or noodles you can make with water from the kettle or in a microwave. If I put milk in, it's soya milk and I put peanut butter in if DS1 isn't with me to object because it's so nutritious and keeps in a cool room, after opening and I know that Ds2 would eat it for 3 meals a day, if I let him and I doubt that he's alone. Our go to frivolity is instant hot chocolate as it's so nice to be warmed through.

Wishing you a lovely, peaceful Christmas, OP.

Lovely to hear that things have helped you, OP and I hope that you will have a nice Christmas, and that things look up for you in the New Year.

Our local shops set up trolleys at Christmas for donations, or rather, the organisations who help people in need, set them up. I usually add stuff in, will do it today before the collection finishes.

Your post just made me cry. I hope you and your kids have a wonderful Christmas x

last year I put chocolates and sweets in the trolley this year I put shampoos and toothpastes in, where I work last year asked for toys for a refuge so I put some nice childrens books into that collection, that dosent sound a lot but my spare money goes to small local cat charities that help with feral colonies and stray cats that don't get any government funding because they cant register as charities being too small so that is small amounts all year round

and Op I hope you and your children have a good Christmas and hope next year will be a good one for you all

I help coordinate the shoebox appeal for refuges in a south east region. I always make sure there are sanpro in all of them, thats my donation (plus my time). Its lovely to hear the donations are well recieved and your lo has a lovely colouring book. kids dont need much, my 5 year old has been playing with pine cones we collected from the park for the last 2 days. They are all currently tucked under a blanket watching a film together. kids don't need much so long as they feel safe.

Have a very lovely, safe christmas and a wonderful new year.

Wishing you a lovely Christmas OP

Thank you everyone, it's so heartwarming that so many people help.

Anyone scared about leaving, because of money, because they dont have anything. You can leave with nothing, and you'll be ok. Theres so much support here, they help you sort out your money, make claims, sort housing, support you when you just need a talk. They help with the things you need, some toys, toiletries, clothes. It wouldn't be as easy if people didnt donate. They help you with solicitors, non molestation orders. My support worker from the refuge will come to court with me.

Tuna, everyone uses tuna here, its versatile and an easy meal, especially if you get a pastabake sauce. We often have tuna pasta bake or tuna sandwiches.

Squash is also really nice to receive, I got a bottle of the robinsons creations I think it's called, it's a lovely change and it's a bit of a treat.

My outlook is good, and by the end of January, we should be settling into life. Obviously I cant say too much but things look positive for me and my children right now.

Thank you everyone!