...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. :)

We always pop a few items in and if children with us they normally pick biscuits and treats that other children (&grown ups) might like

Sorry, seen its already been answered.

I just wanted to mention those with allergies like gluten/nuts or vegetarian (so veggie brand and sausages for example) also use food banks. Some items from the 'free from' aisle very useful. I knew someone who got a voucher but very little food because she was a coeliac.

Oh, and, soya milk.

Thanks for this thread, and glad to hear that things are better now for you. Sad that food banks are needed, but glad that they are there.
I'm in Ireland, I only see 'official' appeals around Christmas. However, on a local Facebook page, there are people who sort food for the homeless, and I am glad to give what I can to help.

The food bank in my local town has a facebook page where they put what items they particulary need. At the moment they are asking for tinned rice pudding, tinned tomatos and long life milk. Apparently they have stacks of baked beans so they are politely asking people to put an alternative in instead. Might be worth others looking to see if their local foodbank does something similar.

I normally drop something in. Our local gym recently sponsored on of the instructors to a full day of push ups and however many he managed was the number of sanitary pads they bought and donated, he did a few thousand in the end.

I was wondering if I should get a Christmas saving card thingy for the supermarket and put in £2 a week then post it to my local food bank once it hits £100 Would that be ok? I'd do my regular few items as well but it means they could buy what they really need?

It is lovely to hear something so heart warming,did youknow Gullivers world are doing an offer at the moment? take something for them to donate to a food bank and you get entry for £11

This is a good thread.

I have signed the petition linked on Change.org for greater visibility on online shopping, and shared on social media.

I think the idea of shelf tickers to remind people is genius, and will probably hassle Trussell Trust and the supermarkets about it via social media - every little helps, yes?

I too forget until it's too late - past the checkouts with a full trolley and whingey kids - but being honest with myself, I could make them come back into the shop and get a few bits and teach them something at the same time, so perhaps next time I'm in that situation I will remember that a tiny bit of hassle for me is nothing compared to being without food for my own very privileged whingers who can totally cope with another 5 minutes in the supermarket if someone else gets to eat that week.

I used to donate in church every week, but moved and haven't replicated it - perhaps the monetary donation is the way forward.

Thanks, OP, for starting this thread - I love that you were cheered up pre-Christmas.

Thanks also other posters who have mentioned school holidays etc. and other useful info - there have been a lot of good thought-provoking posts, particularly Mrs Hathaway on fuel poverty and "things I wouldn't usually eat" which is always great to remember, I think, I am buying a Fray Bentos pie next time, alongside the Jammie Dodgers

We also donate to food banks (when we're in the UK. There are no food banks in Switzerland).

Pavlovian

DH and I have had the same discussion (just with reversed position). I'm also curious, quantity over quality?

A store security guard told me they don't put the collection points by the door, because when they tried it people would pick up the scanned food knowing it wouldn't set off the detectors and walk out with it!

But a hanging poster in front of the doors would help remind shoppers. I might put a reminder on my phone shopping list.

Ah that's so nice to hear! Re the getting back on your feet!

I always used to donate to the Food Bank Box at Tesco near where I used to work whenever I went there (a few times a week) and i donate to the one at my local supermarket (they don't seem to have a regular box though?!).

If there was one where I work with a large sainsburys (think I'll ask) I'd donate there, in fact even though there are office workers there it'd take little money/time out of their day to donate. I will ask their customer service desk about it.

Cherry that's strange, as of late last year, the food collection box where I used to work was right next to the entrance/exit doors!

I hope no one did steal from it.

If you look up your local food bank online, they will likely have an option to make a regular money donation, which will also be eligible for gift aid, if you're a tax payer.

Thank you for this thread, Pinky. Most of us could be in the position you and your partner were in at Christmas, with just a little bad luck, even people who seem to be quite comfortably off.

I've used food banks as well, OP, and donate when I can.
To those who asked, the things that were useful to us were tinned tomatoes, pasta, baked beans, tinned tomato soup, coffee, cream crackers.The best treat we were given was tinned pears and custard.
Don't forget toiletries and basic cleaning things (soap powder, washing up liquid).
Thanks to everyone who donates.

To anyone asking about regular donations, what used to happen at our local sainsbos was every few months a volunteer from the food bank would stand outside with a leaflet of what they needed donating, so you took the leaflet and got some bits with your shopping, tinned puddings, tinned fruit, rice puddings, feminine care (razors and sanitary protection etc) and razors for men and shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant for both sexes too.

I don't know what they do now though to remind people, maybe banners would help.

I also donate cat food when I remember to the Cat Protection League I think it is food bank, they have a big box which is at end of tills but not near entrance/exit and easily seen from checkouts.

noeffing yes, I did donate toiletries (forgot word!) forgot about washing stuff for crockery/clothes etc.

When you see how cheap some of the cheaper washing powders are (even basic ranges) it isn't much to add to a shopping bill.

I actually didn't realise how well off I was until I spoke to someone who was on benifits and she mentioned having to stick to s absolutely strict no deviation budget when shopping. I can stick in an extra thing or two and not worry too much but she couldn't.

Oh yes, sanitary products were a godsend!

I'm not sure if all Food Banks offer them, but we were also given a hot water bottle each - and since we couldn't afford the cost of heating often, these really helped! :)

What a lovely post, glad you're back on your feet!

I'm one of those compulsive hotel toiletry horders... can any pps that volunteer advise if they are of any use? I have a vague memory about some collection points not being able to take them, but would love them to help if they can

I donate every now & again, there's been a few collections at school & one at church in a few weeks. I usually buy value stuff so I get a lot more for my money & tend to buy filling food/staples (rice, pasta, pasta sauce, beans) but I'll definitely add other stuff. Would never have thought about nappies or wipes, I'll stock up in Lidl or Aldi where it's cheaper & get plenty

My local supermarket only seems to suggest food items (understandable I guess) but I will make sure to add some toiletries in the future

I'm so lucky, I've never had to worry about affording food.
There's a food bank nearby and I occasionally do a big shop and donate lots of bags of stuff at once, around £50 worth. Easier for me than going over there all the time.
I find it unbelievably sad that people have to use them, especially when I put formula and nappies in and think that people can buy them.

I volunteer at our local food bank/drop in, once a week.
The boxes are all non-perishable items, so clients rely on the weekly Tesco drop off in order for us to add some fresh food. Some weeks there is lots of stuff (bakery products, fruit and veg) while some days there is very little.

If you can find a way to drop off fresh produce at the actual place where the boxes are distributed from (ours is different to where they are packed up) then it would be very welcome.
Not loads of it as we never know how busy we are and of course we can't keep it (and the volunteers take it, which is nice for me, but not really the point!).

Love this story and has just prompted me to get involved via Ocado.