Foodbank Treats

[Piratepete1]

Inspired by another thread...

I try to take a Foodbank package to our local church as often as I can. I tend to stick to the usual things that are filling, nutritious, can be eaten without access to power etc.

But after reading a thread about a kind mumsnetters gesture at a checkout I would like to add something as a treat for the children (and the rest of the family) but I'm worried it might be seen as frivolous and frowned upon?? Has anyone got any suggestions?

Mamma one of the many reasons I donate to foodbanks now is that I've had to rely on charity in the past. And you are absolutely right - it's lovely to get proper food and anything, really, when you need it, but it's especially lovely to be given something that it's clear the giver thinks you might enjoy as well as something you might need. It's a real lift, and it made me feel like a person and not just a charity case.

You've absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I bet you've helped plenty of others in your time (and will again, when you get back on your feet), just as other people are giving you a bit of a hand now.

I always try to put a treat in! Either four or five of the 30p packets of biscuits, or a couple of packets of nice biscuits - like those Rainbow cookies you can get in Tesco :)

I hope I will never have to rely on a food bank, and I wish we didn't need them, but I'm glad they are there in case people do need them, and no one should ever feel ashamed of needing that help - for so many people in today's finacial situation, it's unavoidable :(

I'll be putting some selection boxes in the collection trolley at Tesco next time I go, I hadn't considered that before! Just after the election, I know quite a few of us on MN bought full trolleys for the food bank. I had to take mine to customer service to drop off as the collection trolley was (thankfully) full. I love seeing it full, especially with nice biscuits and chocolate etc - just because someone has fallen on hard times, doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to have some nice food to keep them smiling.

I always include treats - biscuits, muffins, sweets, chocolate bars

Frubes (yoghurt in a pouch) as they can be frozen as 'lollies'
Cheese strings for lunch boxes
Jelly, Angel Delight, packet custard and a chocolate or ginger cake
Hot chocolate sachets

I do a lot of tinned meat/fish (ham, cornbeef, tuna, salmon, sardines etc) which can be sandwiches or made into a main meal.

Cleaning products, washing up liquid, dish cloths, bubble bath, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, packets of toothbrushes, toilet rolls, nappies, disposable razors

For drinks, I look out for offers on the Squash'd About (or a supermarket own make). They are the size of Candarel Sweetener pack and only 2-3 drops make a glass of cordial.

Mama. You have absolutely nothing at all to be ashamed of.
You needed help and you asked for it. That takes a great deal of strength and courage. I hope your situation improves soon

Hi Pirate. What a wonderful thing you're doing.. Why would giving treats be frowned upon, surley the poor are just as entitled to treats as the rich or even the comfortable.
How about
biscuits,
haribo jellies (,individual packs)
Treat size Chocolate bars
Crisps
Lollypops. You can buy a box flat ones for £1. In home Bargains. AFAIK.

I always include pet food. In my uni days, I went without so my dogs could eat, and I couldn't imagine the heartbreak of someone having to give up their pets because they couldn't afford to feed them.

Children's bubble bath and baby wipes are also two items that are gratefully received by the food bank I donate to, but they rarely get.

Disposable razors are often asked for in our area. Particularly for guys who want to be clean-shaven for job interviews. Likewise, shaving foam.

I try and donate things that are individually wrapped, rather than large bulk packs. I buy teabags from a catering company, and each teabag comes in its own little packet. This means they can split the box up among lots of families. You can also get coffee sachets and hot chocolate sachets like this.

Wow pet food what an excellent idea.

Will take bubble bath, toilet rolls toothpaste ect into account.

My Mum has been putting large bags and small treat nets of Halloween sweets in lately. Also the packs of cakes with Halloween faces etc on them. She always changes seasonally...at Christmas....or in the run up, she'll be putting all kinds in there as well as the usual. She just adds mince pies, chocs, and nice biscuits.

"Every now and then some orthorexic MC overachieving mn-er complains that the foods that the food bank requests aren't "healthy", but she usually gets crushed by right thinking people pointing out that a. if the people who run the place tell you what is needed, believe them, and don't over rule them by deciding that quinoa is just the thing; and b. it isn't exactly healthy to live on 300 calories a day which is what you would get from a bowl of broccoli and quinoa"

MagickPants - I remember a MNer on another thread about what to give to a foodbank, who suggested oatcakes, kidney beans and onions as far better options than the sort of things that have been suggested on here.

When pressed for a tasty meal that could be made with these, she came up with finely chopped onion, mixed with mashed, tinned kidney beans to make a pate to use on the oatcakes! Yum!

I give jars/pouches of baby food. It's all well and good making purees for weaning if you have the spare electricity and kitchen stuff to do it. I know MN is all for baby led weaning but lots of parents aren't comfortable with it.

I also give toiletries, deodorant, sanpro etc

SDTG ^^^ YES YES YES.

I remember that thread sdtg. At least the vast majority of m netters thought she was bonkers.

I also remember that thread - and am also loving the word 'ortorexic' (which I had to look up).

mamma - please don't feel bad, I 'know' you from your posts & know what a generous person you are. Your turn to take something.

orthorexic

Inspired by this thread I am off to the foodbank tomorrow.
I'm not in a great place within myself right now, so it will be good to give something to others. Maybe it will (selfishly) make me feel a bit better too.

I normally put in deodorants, tampax, shower gel, toilet roll, toothpaste as well as food items. I've also put in nappies as well as cat and dog food in the past.

I donated lots of selection boxes just after Christmas last year as well as boxes of shortbread when the stores had reduced them. I donated a few before Christmas but like to get as much for my money as I can. Will be scouting round for Halloween sweets and chocolates too as they will be reduced in November. Would like to think that as well as the basics people needing foodbanks also got a treat too.

This is not in keeping with the treats vein obviously but are saintary towels and tampons excepted? Just a thought as they are pretty expensive and may be well received. Perhaps ask if they accept them.

Toiletries and decent shampoos and conditioners I would think would be good as if you use a foodbank I would expect you have to stick to a basic brand of shampoo when you buy your own. Also what about hair brushes.

Regarding treats, multipacks of biscuits and fun size chocolates would be appreciated I'm sure. They can be little treats, pudding or to go in lunch boxes. A pack of good quality fancy cookies would be a really treat for a mum going through a difficult time. Like Fox chocolate chunk cookies or the Cadbury biscuits.

I wonder whether the add one egg, type cake mixes would be good? They would be a nice activity to do with the children as well as getting a treat at the end of it.

I meant accepted.

I gave quite a few selection boxes last christmas but usually give quite boring stuff like soup and pasta. Have had a rethink after reading this!

Think formula, nappies and babyfood is a great idea as is those bug tubs of celebratons or similar - no family christmas should be without those.

I shop online with Ocado and donate via the 'you give we give' scheme (it's not easy to find on the website if you don't know what you're looking for - it's under 'newsagent' then 'gift experiences and vouchers'

So I don't often pick out specific items, but one (non-essential) thing I was told went down well was chilli/hot sauce (the condiment, not the cook-in).

Threenotfour - I am sure that things like sanitary towels and tampons are accepted - I certainly put some packs in, the last time I did a bagful for the food bank. I am willing to bet it is one of those things that go to the bottom of the list, when a mum is trying to make her money stretch, to feed her family.

The only thing you mention that I am not so sure about is the cake mixes - partly because they may need an egg, and partly because some people will not have an oven to use, or will not be able to afford to use the oven. From what I understand from other threads like this one, even if someone has an oven, it is a more expensive way to cook because it uses power for longer - and people may not be able to use their oven to cook meals, let alone treats.

I imagine that families would be thrilled to get selection boxes and tins of biscuits in their packages.

Such a nice idea, OP.

There's a local foodbank volunteer in my evening class & when I asked her what I should give her as a donation she listed the usual things & then said 'and there's one thing people always like...' and we both said together 'Chocolate'. So definitely nothing wrong with it.