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Original poster

...to thank everyone who donates to Food Banks?

304 replies

PinkyandtheBrainyOne · 02/05/2017 20:25

I mean obviously, I'm not, but I just wanted to say a big thank you to anyone who has donated in the past.

My partner and I were out of work at the end of last year and were waiting for our benefits to kick in. We visited and were provided with bags of lovely food - all manner of treats which put a big smile on our faces.

But, that's only half of my story. The week before Christmas, things were very tight. We hadn't bought each other presents and were planning on just having a microwavable roast dinner to celebrate Christmas. We had to keep things cheap. And then we got a phone call...

Apparently we had entered a prize draw and won a food hamper, and they were wondering if they could drop it round that evening. We were very grateful; but we hadn't entered any draw. It was obvious that it was a treat from the food bank, described to spare our feelings and it meant the world to us.

Inside were selection boxes and Roses and Celebrations, all kinds of chocolate. Yule Logs and Rice Pudding. Hot Chocolate, as well as the usual staples you'll find in a food bank parcel. It's no exaggeration to say that we both had a little weep at how fortunate we were.

Eventually we both found work and things seem to be, if not comfortable, manageable. I'm pretty late posting this, but was reading an article about Food Banks and remembered and wanted to say, thank you. :)

OP posts:
MrsHathaway · 06/05/2017 15:32

Do you mean plain couscous, or the packets with dried vegetables and herbs and spices already mixed in?

Ollivander84 · 06/05/2017 15:52

I usually look for stuff on offer so I can give more if that makes sense? Things that have been welcomed are

Toothbrushes and paste
Sanitary products
Shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner (I just got the Alberto balsam ones)
Instant mash pots or rice pots or noodles
Cadburys sponge puddings
Value biscuits are good, I buy them myself
Sachets of hot choc/ready to drink coffee
Tins of curry/stew/chunky soup
Baby wipes (can have a quick wash with them or use on babies)

I basically walk round and think if I had a kettle and a microwave and I was hungry and tired, what would I really want to eat?
And it's not tinned fruit generally!

babybythesea · 06/05/2017 17:14

I try to donate every time I shop. Sometimes I forget, because the collection thing is on the way out, as is the list of what they need. Usually I do tins of soup, tins of fruit, bags of pasta and tea bags. Today, I changed it because of this thread and added soya milk (in case there are dairy intolerant people needing it), biscuits, tubs of jelly and a multipack of raisins,as treats for kids, plus a multipack thing of rice pudding. And a small tub of hot chocolate. Got a bit carried away with the treat side of it I think! But I looked and the basket is obviously due for collection and was full of pasta and beans and cereal. So hopefully a couple of kids can have jelly for pudding as well as pasta for tea. Next time, will think more carefully before I go in and get a mixture of things. I was always focussed on getting things that would make me feel full, as well as being able to have a cup of tea, and putting those in. Will always add a treat too from now on. And maybe some non-food item.

HelenaDove · 06/05/2017 17:31

The shampoo i donated was Garnier Ultimate Blends and the sanpro was Bodyform.

I wouldnt donate the horrible cheap sanpro as i know i would bleed right through them so other women likely would as well.

Reading through the £10 minimum wage thread and the ppl moaning about the problems raising NMW will cause on there i couldnt help wondering how many of them have moaned about tax credits as well.

babybythesea · 06/05/2017 17:58

The other thing was I dithered about putting in a tub of peanut butter. And then I thought that if you don't have anything to put it on then it's useless. Is jam/ho EU/peanut butter any good, does anyone know?

HelenaDove · 06/05/2017 18:04

jacobs cream crackers. They would be ok with peanut butter.

babybythesea · 06/05/2017 18:12

Just noticed my ho EU thing. Was supposed to be honey.

HelenaDove · 06/05/2017 18:15

Now we have someone on another thread saying that food banks dont serve a need and that they have created a need.

I wondered how long it would take before someone would try and rewrite history on food banks much like has been done with tax credits.

LumelaMme · 06/05/2017 18:19

Our food bank happily takes jam, peanut butter etc. I think the theory is that even if there isn't the cash to buy a loaf of bread in the family's kitty right then, there will be soon and there will be something in the cupboard to put on it.

witsender · 06/05/2017 18:37

We have been told not to ask for/issue sugar (we put it out as an extra so people can take it if they like) but that peanut butter should become a 'staple' all centres should have. This is because of the increase in malnutrition we are seeing, and peanut butter is a dense source of energy etc.

noeffingidea · 06/05/2017 18:42

babybythesea peanut butter would be great.
Some food banks do have donations of fresh produce on certain days of the week, so bread may be available.
Also, just to clarify, people aren't neccesarily relying on the food bank for all their food. So they might be able to afford 50p for a loaf of bread but not have anything to put on it.

hellokittymania · 06/05/2017 18:53

I was watching a documentary on food banks the other day. I have never had to use one, but glad that you had help when you needed it. I have always wanted to donate to a food bank, but I don't know what I should donate or even where my nearest one is.

honeypooh2017 · 06/05/2017 18:53

I try and contribute when I can. I remember going to a slimming club and having the venue hosted a soup kitchen the same evening. They were broken into and three freezers of food was ruined. Everyone in the slimming group bought in bags of food and also made tons of homemade sandwiches for that day to give out. They were able to restock from all the donations.

Also at work we've done a couple of big drives for food banks and did the Salvation Army Christmas presents for children appeal. We completely filled my car with all the presents and it felt so good to help.

Greenifer · 06/05/2017 19:23

Peanut butter is a great idea. I had not thought of that, thanks. With some jam and crackers or bread it would be a nice treat for kids too.

MusicToMyEars800 · 06/05/2017 19:58

I always try and put in some Jam, peanut butter, chocolate spread, lemon curd etc, they are all lovely spread on crackers or rice cakes.

AllPowerfulLizardPerson · 06/05/2017 20:21

I drop off stuff from the foodbanks list (they publish online what their current priorities are).

And add some treats - quite often marmite, as it's fairly expensive compared to, say, jam but definitely comfort food for some.

bibblebobblebubble · 06/05/2017 21:40

I just wanted to post to say thanks for making me think about this. I've sporadically donated in our local tesco but almost all our shopping is online - I never knew about the Ocado scheme so I will be adding that to my basket now for every shop. Next time I'm in Tesco I'll get the kids to choose a treat or two to donate as well, it's so important they get into the habit of giving.

babybythesea · 06/05/2017 22:08

Peanut butter it is then. It's really good to have some ideas beyond pasta, soup and beans.

Daydream007 · 06/05/2017 22:20

That's lovely to hear. So glad that things have improved for you.

Yukbuck · 06/05/2017 22:29

Donated this evening. Thanks for starting this op.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 08/05/2017 10:06

Donated yesterday. I added some gluten free stuff thanks to this thread.

Queenofthestress · 08/05/2017 16:10

Just emailed the local one to see if they need anything since they don't have a list Sad

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 08/05/2017 19:36

I donated gluten free stuff, peanut butter, cream crackers, shower gel, hot chocolate sachets & loo rolls this evening. There were already some loo rolls in the box, made me wonder if another MNer had been there first Grin.

GrimmDays · 08/05/2017 19:44

I've done some work with my local food bank and they really do appreciate everything that comes in. I visited the warehouse and 5 distribution points. The volunteers were are friendly, welcoming, sensitive and non judgemental.

A huge amount of donations come from
People who needed the foodbank paying it forward.

I would also like to echo the thanks.

If you want to donate supermarkets will match your donation which makes it go further and most food banks are drowning in beans and soup. Ours love getting pasta n sauces/cup pasta/pot noodles and similar as they are filling and can be made with just a kettle as often people in hostels/temp accommodation don't have a stove. Also anything that has a ringpull lid and can be eaten cold is good for the homeless clients.