To think that food banks miss the point a bit?

[orangecranberry]

I donated some tins today at Tesco, but was thinking looking in the trolley that it looked an unappetising and generally unappealing array of stuff, largely due to the fact you can't of course donate items that would make a meal such as meat or veg or bread - baked beans without toast can't be too pleasant.

Also, if someone is lacking heat (freezing here just now!) soap, any number of things they might need, food might miss the point. In other words, feeding themselves might be less of a priority than being warm, or putting petrol in the car (many people need cars to work before people chime in with 'sell the car then') - wouldn't it be better if people could go to the CAB, doctors and get a referral not for food but for a smallish sum of cash?

Surely far nicer to spend £1.50 on a loaf of bread and tin of beans than to have just the tin of beans given to you?

Toohasty they could buy bulk, not at a supermarket

I thought of that, but doubted the supermarket chains would support another grocery outlet. The supermarket chains only support foodbanks to sell more of their product.

I shall be encouraging everyone I know who supports food banks and homeless charities to be mindful of this:

www.vice.com/en_uk/read/for-homeless-women-having-a-period-isnt-just-a-hassle-its-a-nightmare-124

I think that's a really dreadful situation for so many women to be in.

sooty, I've often thought about how women who live on the street must cope when they have their period. It's bad enough when you run out of sanpro once in a blue moon, but never having any? Or having a safe place to change it and get washed? It doesn't bear thinking about.