About food banks- just a bit surprised really

[topbannana]

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 This is a good thread and well done for a really good discussion.

OP has changed her view. She is biscuit-crazy now.

OP, I only read the first dozen posts but feel you are being treated too harshly. I would very interested to hear a dietician's opinion, we are led to believe that sugars and palm oils are poison to our body, some wpuld say they encourage obesity particularly in the poor. In an ideal situation we should be distributing fresh fruit & vegetables and other healthy treats, for obvious reasons this is not practical, for this reason I support your question.

linerunner

:o

TSC maybe contact your local Guides as they are experienced in cooking cheap, filling food outdoors in tents.

I am at a very low ebb today and this thread is making me sob

RTFT.

TSC I am in the north west. Please link to your new thread when you start it.

I could cry reading this.

These families are going through hell, probably don't have the means to take their children on days out, throw parties for them at birthdays etc.. So to have a packet of biscuits given to them from a food bank would probably make their day and to think some people begrudge them having that. :(

Just be thankful you aren't one of these families that have to rely on a food bank.

It's also the fact that these are items with long use-by dates.

I'm a bit bemused that you think things like custard, rice pudding, biscuits and sugar are "luxury items".

YABU. For a family with young children they are basic necessities.

I wonder if we should get this thread deleted and open another thread about food banks because the OP has realised she was wrong and at least she is donating - this thread has been brilliant to raise awareness, I am gobsmacked that the foodbanks are everywhere. I just think its now not productive to be having trigger responses when we could move it to something usefull?

After an earlier thread on food banks I now put in some cuppa soup / mugshot/instant noodle type of meals and some instant porridge that just needs boiling water. It was pointed out that some people might not have enough money to pay the gas bill so won't be able to cook much.

I usually put in peanut butter as well as that his high in energy and a source of protein but is a bit of a treat item too.

I did stick a couple of bars of chocolate in too along with the more sensible stuff.

Theres a new thread already?? ooh, linky please

I was talking about a thread a week or two ago.

lass I knew had gone through a rough patch and had been reliant on food bank ( and soup kitchen) supplies, her major gripe was " what the hell was I gonna do with dry pasta , I didn't have a pan, a stove or a roof over my head" . I try and remember that some ( tho not all) of the people using a food bank may in as precarious a position as her.

Cans with ring pulls, food you CAN eat direct from packet, long shelf date as the demand for bank food will fluctuate.

Maybe MNHQ could do a "guest blogger" or webchat feature about foodbanks?

there was a thread the other week about this a jugey woman had judged a mumsnetter for putting some treats in a donation box while she was putting in mixed beans and lentils mmmmmm mixed beans OP yabu that woman do poor people not deserve a treat Imagine openng a box of food and all you have is pasta and lentils how demoralising . food banks provide families children like a treat now and again

you are that woman*

Thanks for those links - I've just found out that 72% of the people in my borough are deprived, and that 52% of children live below the poverty line

This is the same borough that is the largest employer of bankers in Europe.

If I was unable to afford fuel I would really appreciate food that could be eaten cold, such as tins of ham and tuna, squeezy tubes of cheese, crackers, tins of sweetcorn.

If I had a kettle I would really appreciate quick noodles, pot noodles, instant soups, instant hot chocolate drinks and 'smash' potato.

Lots of things in tins are ok cold. I like cold beans, green beans, spinach and beans & sausages. And sardines.

the tone of the OP is really snooty oh these food bank are a marvellous idea lets all help the poor out oh no not a bit of sugar I need to work and buy my own sugar, it is a disgusting attitude to have,

you are bloody awesome TSC.

mrsjay
The OP has accepted that she was being unreasonable.

she stil linitially thought it though good that yes she has seen she was in the wrong but her atitude to poor people isn't rare

Well done OP for starting another thought-provoking thread.

I read the thread a few weeks ago, and while I had donated food peviously, that thread encouraged me to do it again and add penguins treats.

This thread is making me feel I could do more. TSC you are a big part of that. And the post about the woman eating dog biscuits! I will look into local projects (East Anglia) to help children/families who are struggling today and see what more I can do to help.

And I abhore the need for this in a country I should be proud of.