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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

About food banks- just a bit surprised really

381 replies

topbannana · 29/04/2013 21:21

I have just come across a notice in the paper from church, appealing for donations for the local food bank.
Thankfully I have never had need for a food bank but I think they are a great idea and I was happy to buy extra and donate.
The list however was quite specific (understandable) but I was amazed to see requests for custard, rice pudding, biscuits and sugar. In my book these would be considered luxuries, in that if I was short on my grocery budget we would forego them.
Surely the food bank is there to supply people with emergency essentials not extras? As it goes I will simply buy loo rolls, pasta, powdered milk or something else off the list and ignore the bits I don't agree with. I don't really think I am but AIBU?

OP posts:
ArtemisKelda · 29/04/2013 22:52

TSC, that's shocking. It's the 21st century, this type of thing really shouldn't be happening. Good on you for doing this.

Do you have a justgiving page at all?

LineRunner · 29/04/2013 22:57

A packet of digestives is very versatile. They can be eaten with cheese (and a slice of apple), or crushed up to make a pudding, or just eaten as a biscuit with a cup of tea. I remember as a child being given a digestive or a Tuc biscuit with margarine spread on top as a supper.

TheSecondComing · 29/04/2013 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LineRunner · 29/04/2013 23:01

What do you need, TSC?

seesensepeople · 29/04/2013 23:04

TSC, we do a hot lunch if you want any tips/practical advice?

TheSecondComing · 29/04/2013 23:11

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhHullitsOnlyMeYoni · 29/04/2013 23:15

Is there anything on line to link to local food banks? Anyone?

SuperFurrySlippers · 29/04/2013 23:19

TSC, whereabouts are you? Would be happy to help out if you're near me (south west)

Jojobump1986 · 29/04/2013 23:21

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but as well as the listed items, foodbanks give out toiletries/nappies/baby food & are always in need of food for certain dietary requirements like gluten-free stuff.

You can find your local Trussell Trust run foodbank here but there are other organisations who do similar things.

TheSecondComing · 29/04/2013 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhHullitsOnlyMeYoni · 29/04/2013 23:24

Hmm it says no results for my area.
Do I need to start one? Or are the people camping under the petrol station that is about to be demolished actually fine?

OhHullitsOnlyMeYoni · 29/04/2013 23:25

Sorry I meant that in an 'is my area supposedly not in need of one' sarcastic kind of way.

TheSecondComing · 29/04/2013 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ArtemisKelda · 29/04/2013 23:31

TSC, I'm in the NW too, let me know if there's anything I can help with or donate.

Tortington · 29/04/2013 23:32

well done TSC

i run a project with a guise of 'healthy eating' becuase that's what you can get funding for

the kids do learn to cook healthy meals which they eat

the real benefit of the project is that we know the kids will get something to eat

as TSC says...
in 2013
britain
it's disgusting

IneedAsockamnesty · 29/04/2013 23:33

TSC.

Contact your local Waitrose the highest person you can but in store not head office.

They have a good record for local child related food projects I did one a few years ago and they doubled the money I had for food and donated plates ect as well as loads of additional treats

They were great.

Tortington · 29/04/2013 23:35

also, M&S give food, you have to be persistant and they pull funny faces

if you have a large local housing association - they might jump all over it with funding

JsOtherHalf · 29/04/2013 23:36

Check on your council website for local food banks. Here it is run by a church mission.

Crisis loans and community care grants have now gone, and it is next to impossible to get an advance on your benefits.

More people will need foodbanks...

TheSecondComing · 29/04/2013 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dogsandcats · 29/04/2013 23:52

When life is awful, small treats can be essential to help with good mental health. I read an article a few months ago written by someone who lives in a country where they had rampant inflation, and he said that his wife still had her hair done every so often, even if it meant going without some essentials, because the effect of having her hair done, and looking the best she could, gave them both a lift.

nightowlmostly · 30/04/2013 00:00

I've just started donating to our local food bank, I plan to do so every month. I'd like to volunteer but its awkward at the moment with work, maybe in the future. I think I might have heard about them on here tbh, so well done MN!

It's so sad that its necessary in this day and age. We're doing ok so I wanted to give something back, I feel really sad that there are people struggling to feed their kids.

nightowlmostly · 30/04/2013 00:00

And I happily donate biscuits!

Caladria · 30/04/2013 00:12

I read somewhere that when you're sending supplies to disaster areas the first things you send are the obvious ones - e.g. blankets, rice, medicine - but right next on the list are 'luxuries' like lipstick and teddy bears. Stuff that helps you feel human when your life is shit. Same principle here I guess.

AndFanjoWasHisNameO · 30/04/2013 01:32

Good on you TSC-am NW and also vair gobby if can be of any help with your project Wink

ExRatty · 30/04/2013 01:39

Glad OP came back

Devastated that we need to have food banks in the UK
Utterly devastated

I feel worse that some of us might ever think that we should be anything other than incredibly kind and non judgemental to any requests for food and toward those needing to use the service