Food bank items

[EatSleepRantRepeat]

I've been given some supermarket vouchers from work and I'd like to buy some extra items from the food bank with it. If you work for a food bank or have used a food bank, what kind of things do your clients really want or look forward to?

I've checked the local wishlist but it's things like brown sauce and bags of sugar (so non-essential for most people) and frey bentos pies & powdered mash, which I personally wouldn't eat or serve to people at home. They wouldn't go in a microwave either because of the metal packaging.

Do people actually eat and enjoy those things, or are they just shelf-stable but people are too polite to decline? What happens to people like me with food allergies - is it bought in or is it tough luck?

I usually just buy laundry liquid and tampons/pads but there aren't the usual bulk-buy offers on this week so fancied buying something different.

(Before anyone judges me, I'm not policing anyone's dietary habits, I'd just rather spend my money on something foodbank users would normally eat and enjoy. I've never been able to volunteer in one because they're not open outside of working hours).

I never understand the lists either, never met anyone who would willingly buy a frey bentos pie.

I would think your food bank volunteers have an accurate idea about what food is practical and popular. Some people may not have a microwave, so a Frey Bentos pie is pre cooked and ok to eat cold. If you are in a hostel with no proper kitchen, but a kettle, then powdered mash is ok too.

That was what I was thinking @southoffrance, and they're pretty void of nutrition as well. I know they're inundated with packs of rice and pasta, but our M&S does really nice tinned meals without many additives if it needs to stay fresh without a fridge.

Condiments & sauces
Salt & pepper
Cereal
Long life milk
Washing up liquid
Spray cleaning detergent
Jams/marmalade
Toilet roll/Kitchen roll
Deoderants/shampoos/conditioners/razors
Tinned curries/curry sauces
Tinned stews/bolognese chilli

That’s what’s on our list for the foodbank/pantry that we founded this week.

I would imagine that sauces can totally perk up a meal and work out cheaper and easier than heating out part of a tin of tomatoes or whatever.

Can't comment on the Frey Bentos pies as I've never eaten one but I normally stick to toiletries, cleaning stuff and tins like soup, veggies and fruit. I also add some stuff that can be made with hot water like powdered soup and snack noodles

If there's a clearance section then worth seeing if there's anything good. Last time my local supermarket had stuff like jars of jam and washing up liquid in Christmas scents

The only thing I know @maslinpan is that our local ones have a lot of refugee families who use them, I didn't know that the pies were pre-cooked and safe to eat cold so I could see why that would be useful (if a bit horrible to think about), thanks.

I would imagine that sauces can totally perk up a meal and work out cheaper and easier than heating out part of a tin of tomatoes or whatever.

Thank you - I think opinions like this is why I was asking here. I've been incredibly hard up at times in my life and if given a voucher for the supermarket I would have seen ketchup as a waste of money, compared to e.g. two pot noodles, but I didn't have kids to feed either.

Couldnt you like just give the vouchers to the foodbank, to get their own stuff? Save you stressing about what's nutritious enough rather than just sticking to what they've asked for.

Frey bentos pies are very filling and calorific. Brown sauce can pep up almost anything and sugar in a hot drink or on cheap cereal can be a treat. It's not for you to judge really.

I've used foodbanks when I was in a refuge- fray bentos pies aren't bad. If you're hungry, with instant mash and tinned peas, you've got a meal. It's not ideal but much better than nothing.
Incidentally my dad actually buys them and enjoys them!

Fray Bentos do £30 million annually. I'd rather eat one than a quinoa salad.

And mash is fine. Easy starch with no boiling pans and chopping.

I've worked in a lot of homeless shelters and tried to cook (donated) M&S fancy food. The clients turned their noses up and we had chicken, rice and peas again! The staff ate the posh stuff.

The pies in the tin have to go in the oven. The pastry isn't cooked.

-cous cous packets (come in various flavours and only need a kettle to make)

-free from biscuits / individual packaged cakes

-antibacterial hand wash

-long life dessert pots (Ambrosia custard or rice pudding and alpro choc/vanilla/caramel desserts)

-dried fruits in small packets

Tinned fruit
Cereal
Long life milk
Jam/ honey/peanut butter
Biscuits

Instant mash is also light and easy to carry home on the bus. Ketchup goes with anything (even now I'm not homeless)
Tins of chicken in white sauce or tinned curry are nice enough and can be eaten cold.

@gamerchick see my OP. I'm not judging. I've just had bad experiences of working in the charity sector with very well-meaning people like my nan, whose tastes hadn't moved on since the 1970s and thought that Spam was still a staple part of everyone's diet that should be accepted with gratitude. I'd rather ask people who've used one whether they would actually eat it or if not, what they would prefer instead (eg more modern tinned curries, chilli etc).

Get them what they ask for. They know their stock levels and know what they have enough of.

I think Frey bentos pies need cooking.

Or tins. Tins are good. They last ages.

-porridge sachets or variety pack type cereals , a lot of food bank clients have storage issues and it can be very upsetting when cereals go soggy due to damp or little bugs (weevils?) get into porridge so although more expensive the smaller individual packs are actually better

Also a very good point about the bus @Vampirethriller, I know our FB likes to give them a few bags to take home.

Some great ideas and suggestions above for things that are a bit more filling and nutritious, thanks everyone.

The Trussel Trust gives a good list on their website, but if you are donating somewhere local, you should follow their guidance. They know their clients better.

Some charities are not food banks per se, but provide things like emergency accommodation. These places many not have proper cooking facilities - just a microwave and kettle. For this reason, they like you to donate canned meats (eg Spam).

I really understand your perspective, however why do you think they are asking for those items? They work there. They chat to the clients. They know what works.

They can support people with allergies- they know if they have regular donations/clients who need particular products.
They can shop specifically for them if necessary.

It's the logistics of storing it as well, they need stuff that lasts a while, doesn't need to be refrigerated etc, and is easy to prepare. I'm not sure many people would have a fray bentos pie top of their list but it ticks all of the boxes.

If they have a wish list I would give what they ask for. Their clientele may be elderly people like your Nan whose tastes don't lean towards cous cous or gluten free biscuits.

I always put in what I normally buy.
Multipack Crisps
6 pack Irn bru/diet coke
Biscuits/sweets
Shampoo/conditioner/ toilet paper/soap powder.
Heinz soup
Heinz tomato sauce
At Christmas, I bought Advent calendars and selection boxes.