Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Receiving a food hamper

40 replies

Embarrassedandgrateful · 23/12/2020 10:32

Namechanged for this, as I am feeling quite embarrassed Blush

This afternoon I am being delivered a food hamper from a food bank type place, the difference being is that the person delivering it is actually the person who offered to donate a full Christmas Day hamper, donors are given a list of potential matches to donate to, and she picked me.

I am really thankful that we will have enough food over the next few days, but I am feeling really uncomfortable about seeing this person. I am quite an anxious person anyway (understatement) and while money has been really tight over this past year (furloughed then lost job, waiting for a disability benefit appeal in January 21) I have managed to keep going without having to rely on foodbanks. Not that there's any shame in using them.

Years ago, in the days of MN secret Santa, I remember MN organising a huge Christmas hamper for me, which was absolutely amazing and full of wonderous food that I had never tried before Grin so I am trying to think of the hamper today in a similar way, but again, the difference this time is that I actually get to meet the person donating and I have no idea what to say to her other than thank you. I worry that my nerves and anxiety will kick in and I will come across as rude, when in reality without her I don't think we would be having a Christmas dinner.

I am not sure what the point of my post is, I guess I am rambling, but just to say, to all those who do donate to food banks, us recipients are very very thankful. Flowers

OP posts:
LaLaLandIsNoFun · 23/12/2020 18:18

@Embarrassedandgrateful - East Mids?

Londonmummy66 · 23/12/2020 18:26

I've been helping at a foodbank and we both pack and deliver - I'm just so bloody grateful that I don't have to worry where my next weeks shop is coming from. I'm sure your donor just wants to express the same. If you can pay it forward that's lovely but don't start to worry if you can't.

Original poster
Embarrassedandgrateful · 23/12/2020 18:29

[quote LaLaLandIsNoFun]@Embarrassedandgrateful - East Mids?[/quote]
No but good to know there’s more than one!

Thanks again everyone Flowers

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Christmas
GrumpyHoonMain · 23/12/2020 18:32

@Embarrassedandgrateful

Namechanged for this, as I am feeling quite embarrassed Blush

This afternoon I am being delivered a food hamper from a food bank type place, the difference being is that the person delivering it is actually the person who offered to donate a full Christmas Day hamper, donors are given a list of potential matches to donate to, and she picked me.

I am really thankful that we will have enough food over the next few days, but I am feeling really uncomfortable about seeing this person. I am quite an anxious person anyway (understatement) and while money has been really tight over this past year (furloughed then lost job, waiting for a disability benefit appeal in January 21) I have managed to keep going without having to rely on foodbanks. Not that there's any shame in using them.

Years ago, in the days of MN secret Santa, I remember MN organising a huge Christmas hamper for me, which was absolutely amazing and full of wonderous food that I had never tried before Grin so I am trying to think of the hamper today in a similar way, but again, the difference this time is that I actually get to meet the person donating and I have no idea what to say to her other than thank you. I worry that my nerves and anxiety will kick in and I will come across as rude, when in reality without her I don't think we would be having a Christmas dinner.

I am not sure what the point of my post is, I guess I am rambling, but just to say, to all those who do donate to food banks, us recipients are very very thankful. Flowers

Just say thanks and merry christmas.

I donate and some families make / write thank you cards or offer their services in kind if they are able (I have been offered MOT checks / language lessons you name it lol) but it’s absolutely not needed.

CabinClose · 23/12/2020 18:45

Aw, was if FF? I’ve donated a hamper the last couple of years. I just drop and run. This year’s recipient was obviously embarrassed and not at all chatty, last year’s was more chatty. I hope if we needed it one day someone would do it for us.

madmumofteens · 23/12/2020 18:54

Aw that's so lovely to hear OP! Merry Christmas xx

isseys4xmastinselcats · 23/12/2020 18:55

aww Op you and the kids have a lovely christmas and anyone can be up one minute and down the next financially ive been there with £15 a week to feed myself after paying rent and bills and now secure money wise

Original poster
Embarrassedandgrateful · 23/12/2020 19:12

@CabinClose

Aw, was if FF? I’ve donated a hamper the last couple of years. I just drop and run. This year’s recipient was obviously embarrassed and not at all chatty, last year’s was more chatty. I hope if we needed it one day someone would do it for us.
@CabinClose yes FF Smile

My youngest is particularly excited about the sprouts 😂 I normally can’t afford to buy something that only one person will eat (no one else likes them) so she is over the moon she will have sprouts on her Christmas dinner. I don’t quite know whether that makes me happy she’s happy, or sad that we don’t normally have money for individual preferences.

OP posts:
Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 23/12/2020 20:35

I got a food hamper from our local food bank too - I was embarrassed to be needing one but it’s made a huge difference not having to worry about buying Christmas food for the kids.

GQKP · 23/12/2020 20:55

I am stupidly crying at this thread ! Not in sympathy you understand (maybe a little) - just that people can be so kind to each other. The £1 a week is perfect too !

Merry Christmas 🎅

Monkeytapper · 23/12/2020 20:59

Just say thank you and maybe write a Christmas card wishing her a merry Christmas and thanking her again in it and a few word of how appreciative you are. Merry Christmas and enjoy your hamper.

Dumakey · 23/12/2020 21:27

I love the idea of putting money in a jar each week to pay it forward. I will definitely be doing this Smile

Original poster
Embarrassedandgrateful · 23/12/2020 21:35

@Pinkandpurplehairedlady enjoy your lovely hamper, and I hope you have a lovely Christmas- as lovely as it can be at the moment.

@Dumakey I have got a virtual glass jar (Monzo pot) as Monzo has been amazing for me in terms of setting realistic budgets and not wasting money.

OP posts:
motherstongue · 23/12/2020 21:49

My DM has provided a Christmas hamper this year to a family of 4 but she chose to stay anonymous. She was just telling me about it today and I was so moved by some of the background stories that I called the group organising to see if I was too late to help in some way. They asked me to hold off and help in January by perhaps donating energy cards as so many will be affected by fuel poverty at the start of the year. So that’s what I’ll do.

OP I’m so glad you will be having a treat like this over Christmas. Best wishes

Dumakey · 23/12/2020 21:58

Embarrassedandgrateful

Off to google Monzo!! Xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread