To put wine and chocolate in the food bank?

[Nunyabusiness]

Picked up a miniature white wine and a 5 pack of twirls, husband was aghast. My view is that people who are struggling to feed their families wouldn't have funds for such treats.

(I did also put tinned fruit and veg in, by the way!)

I suspect that the food banks won't give people alcohol.

They'll use the chocolate but probably not the wine - but kind idea.

I wouldn't put alcohol in to be honest but I always put chocolate and biscuits in, as well as toiletries.

I think it's a fab idea.

I always try to give some luxury's to the food bank, if I like them then I'm sure the people that receive them do.

Some people taking the donations do look at you funny if you give anything other than the basic stuff. But I wouldn't eat the basic stuff so won't buy it for others.

spotted is right about the alcohol. But chocolate is fine. I usually or a few 'treats' in. And always do advent calendars and Easter eggs.

What ^they said. I regularly put in bogof chocs, everyone needs a little treat when times are tough.

Ive worked at a food bank - as everyone else has said, big yes to treats and chocolate etc, but no alcohol is allowed.

I usually put something like chocolate in too.

I wouldn't put alcohol in but I have done
Biscuits
Cake bars
Chocolate
Cordial (mini squeeze ones)
Fruit juice (long life ones)
Microwave steam puddings + custard
Haribo and other sweets
Kids bath/shower/toothpaste

That's a shame no wine, if I was ever to end up at a food bank that would really help.

I've worked in various charities and it is usually pretty obvious who is an alcoholic, so it's a shame the food bank staff can't use some discretion.

I always put in a few quid worth of chocolate / biscuits (as well as the usual staples)

Am skint myself but make sure I add a few bits to the weekly shop and then bung them in when I have a bag full.

I have put in chocolate in the past but apparently what they are really crying out for is things like nappies, tampax, soap and toilet paper so I usually do those.

I wouldn´t put in a miniature wine because I don´t think they would give it out but if I did I would put in a bottle.

Ours don't accept alcohol but I always put treats like chocolate and biscuits in. Just because someone has found themselves in crap situation it shouldn't mean that they can't even have a treat

Chocolate is perfect, as you say most people relying on food banks won't be buying themselves such treats.

I wouldn't put booze in though as I assume, possibly wrongly, that food banks won't give out booze to people who need food.

Agreed with everyone else - treats are great, but no booze is usually allowed. Selection boxes at christmas are good to put in, because they can be wrapped up by the recipient for their kids. (My mum used to do these for us as kids, made you feel like you'd got an extra present.)

When I'm putting in toiletries I try and put in something that I'd be pleased to receive as a treat myself. When you are skint you get used to the massive basic bottles of industrial paint-stripper shampoo and shower gel which are all you can afford, so I look out for nicer things on special - eg Waitrose had good shower gels on special for £1, which looked really nice as well.

Do it. Nice stuff lifts the soul, puritanical stuff tastes and feels like a judgmental punishment.

Toiletries always welcome, most just don't ask for them as they worry about diluting the food message.

Luxuries always welcome too, but Trussell Trust don't take alcohol. Quite often a volunteer will make a donation and buy any that comes in in ours, or it gets put to the side for a raffle prize or similar.

We always buy up two three chocolate advent calendars and selection packs with each online shop through Nov/Dec to put in the Foodbank box for kids at Christmas. I wouldn't do booze though.

Our food bank doesn't hand out alcohol on the rare occasions it's given. But we're always very happy to get donations of sweets and treats.

The other things we always need are cleaning products: washing powder, washing up liquid etc. It's hard for people to keep their homes and clothes clean if they are totally broke.

Two other things I always like to mention on these threads:

Imagine your recipient has only a kettle and/or microwave / single ring hob to use. Watch out for things like instant pasta packets (great) that need milk/butter added (may not have). That's why things like tinned stews etc tend to be a goer.

If you're an Ocado shopper they have a "You Give we Give" program, you can add £2/5/10 to your order and they'll match it, and get the food banks what they actually need. It's under the Newsagent section, or search "You Give we Give".

We always buy up two three chocolate advent calendars

That's a lovely idea that would never have occurred to me.

So, genuine question here, if someone puts cans/little bottles in the food bank collection boxes and it doesn't get allocated - what happens to it, please?

YANBU, I always put a little treat or two in the food bank box when making a donation, chocolate, biscuits etc. Like others have said just because times are tough doesn't mean they can't have a little something to lift their spirits a little. The wine is a nice idea but I don't think many food banks would give it out unfortunately.