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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to go off piste with food bank donations, as they only list wanting junk food

509 replies

haveatarday · 06/01/2015 10:56

At the shops now. The local food bank is only asking for junk food on their list (crisps, biscuits, pot noodles, pasta and sauce, corn flakes).

Aibu to not get these but get healthier stuff, like tinned fruit in natural juce, oats, mixed seeds etc?

OP posts:
titchy · 06/01/2015 11:39

I wouldn't worry OP - no-one will be picking your donations off the food bank shelf anyway, so up to you how you waste your money!

MrsTawdry · 06/01/2015 11:40

Spiders it is...it's a bloody disgrace! My neighbour is a lone parent with a part time job and a baby. Her ex gives her NOTHING and she does have help with rent but must pay childcare when she works...she does get help but once she's paid bills and got food etc she has nothing. She walks everywhere and I can't get over the fact that her ex is allowed to not give her any money!

MrsTawdry · 06/01/2015 11:41

OP why not offer toiletries next time? Then you won't have to go off piste at all. You could buy them paraben free shampoo!

springalong · 06/01/2015 11:41

There was a very helpful thread just before Christmas and a lot of mumsnetters posted about their experiences of working or volunteering at food banks. It was eye opening so perhaps OP try and take a look for that thread.

RandomNPC · 06/01/2015 11:41

Plus those sods at the DSS sanctioning people for pathetic reasons, as if they are on commission for removing benefits from people in desperate situations. Grrr!

MrsMcRuff · 06/01/2015 11:44

I think you should presume that the people running the food bank know more about their users' needs than you do.

^ Absolutely this. Whatever they've asked for is what is needed. If it goes against the grain (whole or otherwise), then maybe donate money instead?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 06/01/2015 11:44

Also women fleeing domestic violence (who won't have taken their storecupboard of spices with them).
The system is just appallingly broken now.

SoupDragon · 06/01/2015 11:44

It always amuses me when people think they know better than the people who are dealing with a situation day in day out.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 06/01/2015 11:45

"I agree with those who have said here it's a crying disgrace that folk are in this position. The chap who gave us the talk had some very sad tales to tell (protecting confidentiality of course) how misfortune plunges innocent families into food poverty through no fault of their own; homes with not a scrap of food in them and parents going without any meal at all for 2 days to give their children something to eat. We were all a bit tearful and very shocked. (Ladies Group)"

Hatespiders - I want a 'like' button for your post - I agree it is an absolute disgrace!

ouryve · 06/01/2015 11:46

They want stuff with a long shelf life, that's easy to prepare that will stave off hunger and be eaten by people's kids. You're being ridiculous.

Shedding · 06/01/2015 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AmeliaPeabody · 06/01/2015 11:51

Some people wouldn't know what to do with those ingredients. Thinking of the mixed seeds particularly.

The tinned fruit is fair enough, and perhaps the oats. Though I'd be tempted to replace the oats with something more easily and quickly prepared.

ouryve · 06/01/2015 11:51

I hope you didn't buy Green & Black's chocolate, OP. Can't be giving the poor people crap now, can we.

Stinkle · 06/01/2015 11:54

We have tins and tins of kidney beans, we can't get rid of them.

And those lists include items we need at that particular time. It doesn't mean that we only put cornflakes, pot noodles and biscuits in the bags.

Hakluyt · 06/01/2015 11:55

And for all the people saying processed food is so expensive- it is if you're talking Waitrose or Tesco finest. Have you seen how much convenience meals cost in Iceland?

LillyEvans · 06/01/2015 11:55

I do find these threads useful as people who work for the foodbanks have good tips about what is needed and wanted the most.

I had no idea about toiletries/nappies/sanitary items before I read it on mumsnet. I'd also always snobbily avoided buying smash (I've never tried it, just assumed it wasn't nice) but have read on a few threads that it's one of the most popular food items.

Now I know to avoid tinned kidney beans! Thanks Ragwort Grin

Canigetanamen · 06/01/2015 11:56

People who are getting stuff for fee should be gateful and that's why I would never donate starving people are wanting pot noddle

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 06/01/2015 11:57

Mixed seeds are for the budgies. Poor hungry budgies :(

The other day I was having a look at the dried pulses like quinoa etc and ds pipes up "why are you buying that bird seed mummy?". He had a point.

GazpachoSoup · 06/01/2015 11:58

Oat cakes? Oh you're having a laugh. Nobody actually likes oat cakes unless they're at the end of a very long and very boozy lunch and served with good cheese. On their own they are horrid.

WTF's wrong with oatcakes?! Speak for yourself that they're horrible and nobody likes them. We bloody loves them in this house, small people included!
They last all of of two seconds once a packet's been opened!

ouryve · 06/01/2015 11:59

How nice of you, canigetanamen

Was your defective keyboard donated, or are you just being a bit foamy? [headtilt]

ContentedSidewinder · 06/01/2015 11:59

I donated at Christmas following on from the other thread and I asked my local food bank what they needed most and turns out it's UHT milk, tea, coffee, sugar. It surprised me as I thought they would want food, not drinks, but apparently most people donate food. (I also put in some massive bars of cadburys dairy milk mmmm delicious)

I love sipping a lovely cup of tea made with milk and sugar, I couldn't imagine not having that lovely moment in the day. Hence why I am donating what they ask for. They are a Trussel group one.

UHT milk is 49p, I just add it into my on-line shopping basket. I will be be getting some pot noodle style items too. I am not judging, I am feeding those who need it.

LillyEvans · 06/01/2015 11:59

And stinkle just seen your post about the kidney beans too!

AmeliaPeabody · 06/01/2015 11:59

I wouldn't give kidney beans or lentils. They're a staple product many of us regularly buy, but not useful if you don't have the other ingredients needed or have any idea of what to make with them.

AliceinWinterWonderland · 06/01/2015 12:02

People who are getting stuff for fee should be gateful and that's why I would never donate starving people are wanting pot noddle

I was trying to translate this as due to either typos or spelling issues, I felt that surely people are not this nasty.

So I guess translation is: "I expect people to bob and curtsey for the scraps I throw them, not be like that cheeky Oliver and ask for more!"

Appalling. (and that includes your spelling)

BabyX · 06/01/2015 12:02

Ugh, why on earth would you donate dark chocolate? Surely far more people like milk? I wish there was a food bank near me, I'd buy up all those selections boxes that are reduced to clear and hand them over. I imagine when you're on your uppers a few bars of chocolate might give you a nice lift before you start gnawing on your organic oatcakes.