Food bank donations

[Gonnagetgoing]

So I've got a few items of food left over from Christmas - mostly items given to me or I bought but now don't eat as trying to cook more from scratch now.

Pesto, normal white pasta (am on wholewheat pasta now), a Fajita kit, cup a soup in boxes (found Slim a Soup), pasta sauces.

I also have some shower gels I found - just Aldi but could donate, some soap bars (just plain) and a couple of packets of cream crackers/biscuits for cheese and mac and cheese sauce mixes.

My local food bank says they will take anything but would this be ok? I'd be donating this to my supermarket unless I can get to food collection drop off points but I always forget what the supermarket list requests.

They're perfect items for the food bank

My dad volunteers
Things they always welcome :
Things that don't take a lot of energy to cook ( think things you can add boiling water to)
Sanitary towels/ nappies
Pet food ( often a choice between feeding their best friend and companion or themselves)
Non aerosol deodorant
Toothpaste
Soap
Washing up liquid
Laundry cleaner
Things that don't require other ingredients ( such as sauce for meat / fish )
Things that aren't too heavy to carry ( many unlikely to have car so may need to use public transport/ walk)
Biscuits
They can't accept Things like individual soup packets if they're not in unopened box
You're very kind OP xxxxxx

Just make sure the items are in date.

So long as they're in date and unopened, donate them

The list of things that they really want are most applicable to people buying specifically for the food bank. When I donate it's always food that has become surplus so I don't worry about exactly what's on the list.

@JayniSummers

My dad volunteers Things they always welcome : Things that don't take a lot of energy to cook ( think things you can add boiling water to) Sanitary towels/ nappies Pet food ( often a choice between feeding their best friend and companion or themselves) Non aerosol deodorant Toothpaste Soap Washing up liquid Laundry cleaner Things that don't require other ingredients ( such as sauce for meat / fish ) Things that aren't too heavy to carry ( many unlikely to have car so may need to use public transport/ walk) Biscuits They can't accept Things like individual soup packets if they're not in unopened box You're very kind OP xxxxxx

@JayniSummers - thanks for the list!

Actually I do have a spare washing clothes liquid which I could give to them.

Biscuits - am sure I can get a few packs delivered with shopping.

There's also some cat food my cat won't eat so will give that to them too.

I did, just before Xmas, donate a load of stuff like Oats So Simple, baked beans, soup, rice pudding, tinned fruit and also big packs of sanitary towels when I was in the supermarket but as I get shopping delivered I don't often go to supermarket.

The soup packets luckily are all in boxes. I could get some soup packets that come in a packet rather than tin. And also, some of those packet cappucino/latte mixes.

An ex GF of my brother's years ago was in a shelter and then her own flat after she was in an abusive relationship, luckily wasn't on the streets but she said the worst thing for her when she got her flat, was having to worry about whether to buy e.g. toothpaste or sanitary towels or what food she could afford and if it'd be beans on toast for tea rather than a proper meal as she was on a low income as only 16.

oh, gonna add some Pot Noodles to that list too. I guess jellies might also be a good idea, the ones in sachets.

@SandysMam

Just make sure the items are in date.

@SandysMam - they're definitely all in date as only got them at Christmas or in autumn last year.

If any of it is past the best before date, but not miles past, it can be given away on Olio - just be clear what the BB date is when you list it

@user313213521

If any of it is past the best before date, but not miles past, it can be given away on Olio - just be clear what the BB date is when you list it

@user313213521 - oh yes good idea.

I just remembered - my mum has a ton of stuff - things she got for Christmas like Sanctuary gift sets which she doesn't use, she doesn't have baths and rarely has showers now - strip down wash! I'll try to get her to donate these direct to a food bank as well as to charity shop.

I recall someone saying once, I think on a TV programme about donations, it's really nice to use a luxury bath or shower product if you're not used to it.

Womens aid groups are always grateful for luxury bath smellies