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

[PinkyandtheBrainyOne]

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. :)

That's so kind of them to give you the hamper. And that you had a much better Christmas for it. You have reminded me to donate to the food bank. Let's pass on this goodness :)

Lovely so glad things are better for you now!

I too have had to use the food bank (more than I care to admit!) and now I am in a slightly better place I follow their Facebook page and when they are short on nappies / wipes I donate some.

It still brings a tear to my eye that I was in a position where I couldn't afford to buy nappies. I dont think everyone would think that nappies are needed so I choose to help by donating them when I can and I will do this for as long as I am able

This petition asks all online supermarkets to add a 'donate to foodbank' option on their websites. I think it's a great idea as like others have said I often forget and not see the box on the way out of the shop. I would definitely do this more if it was easier and I was reminded each time I put in an order:

www.change.org/p/uk-supermarkets-add-a-donate-to-foodbank-option-for-online-supermarket-shopping?utm_medium=email&utm_source=62739&utm_campaign=petition_update&sfmc_tk=L%2fNJzDUiN091B75vGwQerTdn6yQ1WZz%2fK6A71GSPmaj67B46bn6bOmLbfDHxyGJ0

Lovely post PinkyandtheBrainyOne, I'm glad to hear things are looking up for you
I was in the supermarket today and the food bank bin was full to overflowing. I've never seen it so full. It looks like all the recent publicity is working in their favour.

I also agree it's an absolute outrage that in our country some people are desperate enough to need food banks. It's disgusting.

Thanks for posting OP - fortunately I've not been in that situation and can be quite wasteful with food, your post post is a reminder that I should be doing more, and will be doing so

All the best for the future

I try to donate when I can (DH has been out of work recently) and it's lovely to hear that it can truly make a difference. I use Ocado and didn't know that they match vouchers. I will certainly look into it.

Can I ask what items were the most useful? I tend to choose whatever is on the list at our local supermarket. I remember reading something on MN a while back about donating tampons/pads because they are essential but often overlooked. Is this right?

Glad things have turned around for you in 2017. Our foodbank often asked specifically for donations of toiletries, including sanitary products. Other items they always ask for are dried/long life milk tinned fruits, tinned tuna and soup and breakfast cereals. We have a discreetly located donations basket at our work which makes donating really easy. Aldi is great for getting lots for your money when buying for it.

rusty cross posted - u are right!

Ocado shoppers, the donation button is here:

Browse Shop -> Newsagent and Entertainment -> Gift Experiences and Vouchers -> Food Bank Vouchers.

Or search for "food bank" in the search bar and their scheme ("You give we give") should come up.

"How do you use the Ocado donation system as I'd love to donate."

Go to the 'newsagent' tab and select 'gift experiences and vouchers' and you'll find "You Give We Give" vouchers.

Their partner foodbanks can order what they want - which must be one of the few ways of being able to provide fresh produce, as they'll be able to specify what, how much and (crucially) when.

My local foodbank can also accept online deliveries if you want to send one to them. They can take them in any time they're open, but do ask you to let them know when one is going to turn up. Perhaps you could ask if yours does this?

And another question - my local has a table of random treats ie the things that aren't included in their standard package but are nice to have, and from which clients can take one or two items if they want to. What would you most like to see in that table?

I'm having to use a food bank at the moment, and really appreciate all those that donate and also the wonderful volunteers that work there. Without them, my situation would be even more desperate.

I can't get to a food bank, so I do a financial donation. If I go into the local shop I put something in their bin for the YMCA.

So good to hear that you had a better Christmas than anticipated and that things are improving.

Every country in Europe has them, the biggest is in Oslo.

Believe it or not there have been some really nasty threads on here about putting 'treats' or even sugar in foodbank parcels.

Thats a lovely post, OP.

I work somewhere which arranges food bank parcels for tenants (referrals) and sometimes the parcels come to our workplace for tenants to collect. It is wonderful to see how full they are, with a really wide range of goods and not just "staples".

I would of course rather the need for these parcels go away, however am glad to see that when they are needed they are very well done.

Costco donate a LOT of produce, and this makes up roughly half of the stuff in the parcels that pass our door.

My DCs school has teamed up with a local food bank, they have a donation box which is collected each week. When I was explaining it to my DCs, DC2 got upset and said "what would happen if we didn't have any food?". I told him that kind people would help us. It made me realise the importance of giving whilst we are in the position to do so, and we now donate weekly.

My church is a collection point for the local food bank so we're in the habit of donating weekly, if only a small something.

After some unpleasant sniffiness on a previous thread about food banks I occasionally rebel and put frivolous "luxuries" in. Biscuits - chocolate bloody biscuits in fact, jam tarts, cake bars, instant chocolate custard, etc. And yy sanitary goods, shampoo, etc.

But chiefly I've learned that people who can't afford to buy food may be suffering other difficulties including vulnerable housing situations and fuel poverty. For that reason "would I buy it for myself" is a bit of a red herring because I have a well equipped kitchen and no worries about whether the electricity will cut out partway through cooking. So in sensible weeks we buy things which are complete meals or nearly, and/or things that can be eaten cold, and/or things which need minimal equipment. Tins of mince and onions or chicken curry or microwave rice wouldn't be on my normal shopping list, but if I had five minutes with one pan on one ring they'd be very useful.

There are certain parts of the supermarket which are food bank hot spots for me: cereal/UHT milk/sugar/hot drinks aisle; biscuits/cake/tinned and packet puddings aisle; canned meals/pot noodle aisle. I don't go with a particular shopping list as our FB doesn't vary its wish list much.

I've never given to the food bank op. So I thank you for sharing this. I will definitely be donating from now on..including yummy treats

I will put in "free from" foods like gluten free cereal or soya milk or boxes of tofu and such :)

Especially kids stuff that is free from

Edith my DC loved the mini choc buttons from the foodbank and also any kind of tinned fruit 😀

Fantastic post OP, Thankyou. 💐

I work in the local foodbank, and the items we always need and are shortest of are:

• Coffee
• Rice Pudding
• Custard
• UHT milk
• Squash/juice
• loo roll

It is always lovely to get toiletries, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo etc. We tend to suggest dropping a brand level and getting more, cheaper items than expensive ones.

We also get lots of things like free bars, juice cartons etc for kiddie lunch boxes, which is also great.

As an indicator, a Trussel Trust Foodbank issues the following as staples:
Tea
Coffee
Juice/squash
Milk
Cereal
Beans
Tinned spaghetti
Tinned veg,meat, fish, tomatoes
Pasta
Rice
Jarred cooking sauces
Biscuits
Extras: condiments, seasoning, sweets, chocolate, sugar, lunch box stuff etc.

I can honestly say that every single item is so gratefully received by the volunteers, and well looked after.

expat really? That is horrible, everyone deserves a 'treat' now and then. I understand donating basic products that will last, but I try and sneak in something that I think someone might enjoy now and then. It's the rebel in me

Our local food Bank has a FB page where they will mention what is needed, sanpro is a regular. They also post a little update about how many families were helped each session.