Food banks for the school holidays

[GloGirl]

Posting on here for traffic, but as it's AIBU feel free to make it into a food bank bun fight if you want (pun not intended).

I've just been reading through this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2430146-Food-bank-donation-quantity-or-quality-Or-both?

And a poster made an excellent point that families don't have free school meals during the summer holidays.

Just a reminder to bear this in mind during your next supermarket shop if you wanted to throw a few extra items in the Food Bank donation

We're in the US at the moment, and driving through Virginia there were billboards highlighting this very thing - that the poorest children are simply not going to be fed during the summer months without charities and food banks.

Steph, is there one on the Isle of Wight? I work at the food bank here and would be keen to work together.

Hi NinkyNonkers

Yes we do! WE have one in Ryde, Checkout www.makelunch.org.uk/kitchens and there should be a pin on the map for Ryde.

One of the schools near us serves lunch all through the holidays for children which I think is brilliant.

I was chatting to someone the other day who was telling me her Church are putting on a Playscheme for 2 days a week during the Summer, primarily because they use is as 'wraparound' to feed everyone who comes, a hearty cooked meal. She was saying it's "only" twice a week, but I was thinking how brilliant. Big commitment from the Church's volunteers, but a truely useful, practical thing to do.

Can you do food bank donations in an on line shop? I know that sounds incredibly lazy, but surely they'd get loads of donations?

Have a button to click that says "food bank" and you could maybe scroll down a list of things that are really needed and tick what you want to donate (and therefore pay for). No problem of people putting out of date or useless stuff in either. People would do it because it doesn't feel like real money too.

Can you do food bank donations in an on line shop? I know that sounds incredibly lazy, but surely they'd get loads of donations?

I say this every time I shop but as far as I know, nowhere offers it. You're better off contacting your local food bank to set up a standing order with them, although I know that feels less personal than putting food in the donation box.

I clicked on this thread intending to post "Have you heard of Make Lunch?..." . I know at least one church in a deprived area doing it.

I'm so proud of my Mum, she instigated, shops for and runs her local Make Lunch project. I'm pleased folk are asking about it! It's such a needed service, I mentioned I posted on this thread to her, I'll let her know all the nice comments too.

You can donate to a food bank if you online shop with ocado. It actually isn't that obvious & hasn't been well advertised. They call it you give we give. It's now on my regular shopping list

Have just checked & realised just how hard it is to find on ocado! Must email them as so tricky to actually get it it's ridiculous. Search for donate.

@Munxx we think your mum is great though with over 50 kitchens I obviously don't know who she is - tho I think I can guess from what you've said!

Makelunch kitchens are all run by volunteers, we are so thankful for them!

As per the 'original' thread, yesterday I did my shop and bought some uht milk, cereal bars and ice lollies that you need to freeze.

Just a reminder for your Sunday shops!