to have put a packet of penguins in the foodbank trolly?

[bubblesinthesky]

Our local asda has a foodbank trolly and I usually try to put something in when I shop there. Normally its tins or pasta but yesterday for a change I picked up a box of shreddies. I also saw penguins were on special offer so thought I'd get a packet of those too as I thought someone with children may appreciate them for a change.

As I put them in the trolly a woman walked up with a tin of kidney beans and another of mixed beans and said "haven't you read the sign they want nutritious food only, no point giving them unhealthy food". I muttered something about people needing a treat occasionally and went on my way.

Its still irritating me this morning so thought I'd put it to the AIBU jury

[ClaraOswinOswald]

See, how can they say Mumsnetters aren't nice? We are lovely.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I have the shopping list for my nearest foodbank on my desk and it includes things like
Jam
Sponge Puddings
Biscuits

I normally try to put something nice in along with the sensible stuff.

She does sound a bit sanctimonious i.e. the poor should be helped to survive but they shouldn't actually be enjoying life.

[thermalsinapril]

If the donations are just going to get swapped for something else then what's the point of people wasting their time choosing something? They should just ask for monetary donations. I'd be quite annoyed if I found out that I'd spent the time picking something I thought people would like, but actually it was just going to be put back and replaced with something more worthy. I'd rather just stick a fiver in a tin.

[quoteunquote]

herbs, spices, stock cubes, sauces go down well, the little things that make meals much taster, but are just an additional cost that can't be justified. I was surprised recently how quickly a massive bag of donated(health food shop) chilli flakes, divided up into little bags went, because just a few in a meal makes it so much more tasty, especially if it's all beans.

drinks, tea, coffee, instant hot chocolate, normal hot chocolate, fruit tea, cup a soups, squash,juice all are really welcome, a hot drink really makes a difference to a day.

toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes are always welcomed,people run out and food comes first.

[Mutley77]

I think it's absolutely fine - plus penguins are chocolate biscuits and there is surely some nutritional value as well as being a good thing to eat as part of a varied diet. I would poss think ywbu if you put in a packet of starbursts or something.

[xigris]

I've just done the supermarket shop and this thread made me do something I've been meaning to do which is take a bag of stuff to our local foodbank so thanks bubbles! As well as taking the stuff on their list you inspired me so much that I added two packs of penguins! no kidney beans though

[Gruffalump]

YANBU

Sanctimonious bag!

[StAlphonzospancakebreakfast]

Our food bank asks for biscuits, and that's generally what I give because I think what would I want! (As well as kidney beans of course )

[mrsjay]

ooo get you Xigris* 2 packets the next time i make a donation I will remember the penguins I usually get a packet of bourbons or something equally boring,

oh I have emailed my local foodbank to see if they need volunteers thread has inspired me

[MsBella]

Yanbu. Ffs just because somebody is poor it doesn't mean they shouldn't have a bit of chocolate now and again. They'll love it, child or not

[MsBella]

By the way I've put anything from chickpeas to kitkats in there. I've had to use a foodbank in the past and they didn't just have nutritious food, in fact as a mum I was very, very pleased to get treats for DCs. Now I try and donate basics and also treats when I can, they will be ideal for someone and lift their/their DCs spirits while times are hard

Well done!

[Bridgetbidet]

You most definitely were not unreasonable. Think about it this way, if you're down to the point of using a food bank you're going to be in pretty miserable circumstances. What is going to cheer you up more? A rough oatcake or a chocolate biscuit?

I think you'll probably be bringing a tiny little ray of sunshine into some pretty horrid circumstances with those biscuits. I think you should feel pretty darn good about yourself.

[xigris]

On offer Mrsjay! Actually fairly remarkable that I didn't eat one of the packs. I love a kitkat

[mrsjay]

mmmm kitkats

[choceyes]

Penguins are vile. YABU.
Kit kats are much better.

[littlebitofthislittlebitofthat]

thank you for donating to your local food bank..... that woman can wind her neck in! Having been in VERY dire straights, very recently....

its the little things that reduce you to tears, like not having a biscuit to go with your tea when they are only a pound.

it brings to the front of your mind that there is a queue of calls on the mythical pound you could have spent on biscuits

I have sad and cried over a grape... a single grape that was thrown out after being squished into the carpet, when I could have eaten that.

thank you, thank you, thank you... for being mindful of others.

[HoneyDragon]

I don't think ubu. Penguins are fine. The breast will do two meals and the wings can be boiled for stock.

[whirligiggle]

Dh & I got offered food bank just before Christmas, just before my Mat leave ended. We both cried a little bit when we saw the bag, & again when we saw the contents. Trust me when I say, dried or tinned staples, vegetables, fish etc was lovely & we stopped missing as many meals, but it was the extras that were the real treats. We could usually justify getting a few value carrots or other veg, but if you've not even got enough to pay the rent, you don't even go down the biscuit aisle in the shop.

[bettycocker]

If I was so skint I needed to use a food bank, I'd be overjoyed at the sight of some penguine biscuits. YANBU and that woman sounds like a bossy old boot.

[bubblesinthesky]

Oh god now I'm crying over littlebitofthis and whirligigs posts.

Hard to believe we're one of the richest countries in the world isn't it? :(

[whois]

Totally not U to put penguins in!

When I donate I try and think of things I would like if I was getting a food bank parcel:
Tinned fruit
Things like those chocolate puds which last ages, or tons of custard or rice pudding
Big bags of mixed Italian herbs, coriander, cumin and chili. I would like to think they get divide out between people.
Tinned of mixed beans because actually they are v nice and a great source of protein! Tinned meat is not nice and tinned fish is quite expensive. Will bear in mind the comments about needed tinned fish and meat in future tho and look out for offers.
Tinned veg
Tinned toms

I have neer donated long life juice or milk. Is the long life fruit juice really wanted? Would have thought much better value to get a bottle of squash?

[Flobbadobs]

Our local childrens centre has a 'shopping list' for the local foodbank and its the most joyless list I have ever seen.
Staples only, dried goods and sauces, tins of beans and veg, no treats on the list at all and it specifies own brand or value range. They won't accept anything not on the list. I don't give to that one, I tend to take it straight to the library which takes anything, even easter eggs

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Of course they don't NEED penguins but I bet you any money that the family who get them will have at least a moment of joy when they all get to sit down with a cup of tea/juice and a penguine!!!

Treats should be able to be enjoyed by everyone. And it will mean alot to those families who get them. If ore the batty old woman!!!

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Damn phone. Ignore the old woman

[xigris]

The food bank I went to today said that other things they need are toiletries, sanitary towels / tampons, nappies, wipes etc. I'm by no means loaded but I'm going to start buying a couple of extra bits each time I go shopping (including penguins / kitkats!) then drop it off to them once a month. Mrsjay I really want a kitkat now!