Nice things for Christmas to put in foodbank ideas?!

[NoNotMeNoSiree]

Recently got a job so have more money and know how shit it is to feel skint at Christmas and not be able to afford anything "fancy?"
So I want to give treats
So far I'm thinking

• hot chocolate
• nice tea/coffee
• mince pies
• selection box
• biscuits
• Christmas cake

Advent calendars, crackers, Xmas pudding, nice squash, mixed nuts

Make sure the hot chocolate instructions use water and not one that needs to be made with milk.

Yes advent calendars a good shout, forgot to put that in my list and meant to!
Also the other items sound good
Always a bit wary adding nuts though, I absolutely love them myself but as someone who suffers from allergies makes me aware

@KloppsTeeth

Make sure the hot chocolate instructions use water and not one that needs to be made with milk.

That's a good point I don't drink milk myself and the Cadbury's one is lovely made with just boiling water

Last year i put in microwave popcorn as well as add-water hot chocolate. Also gave deluxe nuts.

If you go on the website of your local food bank they usually have a list of items they're desperate for and also a list of things they have in excess.

Mine are always on the lookout for practical things such as toothbrushes, deodorant and mens shaving cream.

Lovely idea op - maybe check with the food bank to see if they're looking for any particular Christmassy things (be careful about foodstuffs with alcohol in as they might not be able to use them). Also the Salvation Army does a brilliant Christmas present appeal where you can donate a new toy/gift for a child who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present.

Beautiful thread @NoNotMeNoSiree

non-alcoholic drinks Schloer / San Pellegrino
candy canes
nougat
boxes of dates
chocolate money
big bars of chocolate
fancy biscuits
marshmallows
fancy hot chocolate
christmas napkins/crackers

also today i bought small lego kits for the charity collection this week to children who won't have a gift this year.

Lots of the above
Tins of ham
Christmas tins of biscuits
Some Boots 3 for 2 or similar, toiletry sets

Yes check with your foodbank. My local one is well stocked at the moment so is only asking for Christmas treats currently.

Our foodbank is looking for tinned meat/salmon, crisps like Pringles (the tube means they don't get squashed in packaging), treaty chocolate (chocolate orange etc), boxed of biscuits, and bits like nice coffee/tea, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, instant custard, oil.

We did our big foodbank shop last week and downloaded their list and added a few other things like chocolate santas, Birds trifle packs and Lynx shower gel/deodorant.

They always get given a load of advent calendars by the local supermarket so I don't get those

Remember there is a lead time between receiving donations, sorting them and preparing for clients. So if your intention is to add a couple of festive treats and you want them to be with clients for Christmas, then get the donation there by mid-December (a few days earlier if donating via a supermarket point as they might get collected only weekly, though can be more frequent)

It's rather late already for Advent Calendars to start in 1st (though I guess no one minds playing catch up!)

And always check what your foodbank actually wants, and make sure you include some of those items too

There are schemes run by councils,, charities and the police to give presents to DC who might not otherwise get many or even any. Google for what is running local to you, but as an example, here is this year's London appeal by the Met (working in conjunction with social services)

givergy.uk/christmastreeappeal2021/?controller=home

Do check your local food bank to see what they need see the donation station in your supermarket. I know its nice to give nice things but don't forget the essentials like tin soup, meat etc actual food people will have kids home for two weeks maybe put an extra box of cereal or porridge sachets. A long with your treats.

You could maybe check on your local Facebook page to see if there is something similar for local sheltered accommodation for OAP ‘s etc
I know a local church to me asks for similar donations to give out to local older people

Op i think they will be grateful of absolutely anything they receive to be honest. It is lovely and inspiring that you are donating some extra special treats that will bring people joy. Wish there were more people like you in the world...

In previous years we took advent calendars but decided not to this year , So This is what a couple of friends and I are taking to the food banks,

Tins of Chocolate covered biscuits,

Decorate your own gingerbread tree kits , these are pre baked and come in four so great for siblings to share ,

multi pack boxes of twinnings English breakfast,

@Mrsjayy

Do check your local food bank to see what they need see the donation station in your supermarket. I know its nice to give nice things but don't forget the essentials like tin soup, meat etc actual food people will have kids home for two weeks maybe put an extra box of cereal or porridge sachets. A long with your treats.

Yes, good point, will put '' proper food'' in as well

Chocolate log, viscount biscuits and a big box of crackers

I'm collecting items for the next 6 weeks and will donate in January instead as that's when their donations are the lowest.

Our food bank asks for "normal" stuff as other PP say, children are off school and need food, not just Christmas treats.

Advent calendars are a hit and miss, it often depends on the area the food bank is supplying.

I normally do my normal food donations and add the odd thing like a tin of biscuits or chocolates into it as well. I try to get smaller packs as not everyone is a family household.

I gave advent calendars one year and then I think it was on Mumsnet that someone said not everyone has a Christmas day to look forward to so a child counting down may not be as exciting as first thought.

Selection boxes might be a nice idea and they can then be wrapped and given as a gift by the parent.

Ask if they need cat and dog food?
Rabbit and guinea-pig pellets?

Some toiletries , for adults and children
New toothbrushes, toothpaste