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!)

Never realised before some food banks won't take formula. Of all the outrageous scummy things the breastfeeding lobby has done, stopping babies of the poorest people having access to milk in the hardest times - well that really is the worst.

I regular give to a Trussell Trust bank and as they are one of the backs that do this I intend to cease donating.

margaret that's a bizarre reaction. You think babies are missing out, so you'll stop supporting the whole family? Couldn't you write a letter to them instead?

cosy many people who sell the big issue have access to showers and are not sleeping rough. 'Homeless' doesn't always mean sleeping on the street.

Agree MargaretTwatyer I was seriously ill after a cesearean and was in hospital for 6 weeks, should my baby have starved because I could not breastfeed. How judgmental of Foodbanks not everyone is able to breastfeed. I too have heard of volunteers helping themselves but I will continue to donate. With regard to disposable razors, toiletries etc., surely these items help the person to feel better. Tea and biscuits or toast was what we were fed on as a child. Very few mealtimes except when my nan had us.

Why are the bank not allowed to give formula? It is because of the old 'breast is best' brigade (am not anti BF I think it's great by it's not for/possible for everyone)? Or is it for safety reasons - in case it's been tampered with for example?

Started reading this thread yesterday and, as I knew I was going shopping today, checked the current list of 'Urgently needed items' on my local foodbank's web page. I always put a few things in the foodbank basket when I go to the supermarket, but until I read the thread it never occurred to me that there was such a list! [dimwit emoticon] As they only listed food items, I also emailed to ask about toiletries/sanpro/cleaning products. They answered that they have lots of sanpro at the minute, but suggested toilet rolls and some other items.

So thank you, OP, for starting this thread, and for all contributors who've made good points and practical suggestions.

Special thanks to mygorgeousmilo for her/his heartfelt post at 18:57:48 yesterday. to you and all the other foodbank volunteers.

Am staggered by Margaret's post - punishing poor people because the foodbank doesn't take everything. How does that help anyone?

(Mind you, I always think the "I am not going to donate to xyz any more" brigade very rarely donated anything to begin with.)

And on the "I too have heard of volunteers helping themselves" thing - where do you hear this, Chestervase? From whom? If you hear credible reports of people stealing, you should tell the police. If the reports you hear are not credible, then you shouldn't be repeating harmful gossip.

Apologies if I didn't read all the thread as I am at work at the moment. However people saying that things like body wash is a treat I don't agree. What if a person has a job interview and no soap or toothpaste or shampoo to clean themselves with before they go. I can understand not putting in expensive stuff like soap and glory or something but something like dove which is cheap is nothing. Or your kids getting bullied because they smell in school because they can't wash their hair or have a bath.

Settle yourself Margaret.
It's Unicef who suggest food banks shouldn't accept formula due to the risk of contamination etc.
HOWEVER, food banks can and do buy formula themselves to give out.
So get over yourself and stop the stupid perpetuatung the formula/breast nonsense.
Oh, and also fyi The Trussel Trust DON'T accept formula either.

I agree with you blackheart

CosyNook this is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read on here.

Really - it was the first thing my DD said when I was discussing this thread with her. You must be very naive if you don't think this happens.

UNICEF - promoting breastfeeding at the expense of anything else, rather than Infant feeding and providing good advice for feeding as a whole - anything for accreditation.

Of all the outrageous scummy things the breastfeeding lobby has done, stopping babies of the poorest people having access to milk in the hardest times - well that really is the worst.
Oh please

Of all the outrageous scummy things the breastfeeding lobby has done, stopping babies of the poorest people having access to milk in the hardest times - well that really is the worst

Take that enormous chip off shoulder and donate it to a food bank. The "breastfeeding lobby" (which do amazing work btw) have got absolutely nothing to do with it.

Some people are confusing a bit of crappy Dove bodywash with Jo Malone fucking bubble bath

Jo Malone bubble bath?

I wouldn't give bubble bath as I can't even afford to run a hot bath as more than an occasional treat.

I wouldn't give Jo Malone stuff anyway, it's overpriced and crap. Dipique is a much better choice for candles.

mygorgeousmilo - brilliant post 👏🏼👏🏼

I asked my local very large and quite well known homeless shelter what they wanted (they also do outreach and food parcels, run a food bank etc)

Giant tins of coffee
Large size male toiletries- they said that Lynx was great. Not small size as people like a long shower and they like to have their own.

Oh and top up cards for mobiles.

My sister had to use a food bank a few years ago. She got some lovely chocolates, soap, and deodorant as well as some basics, like tuna, tinned veg and instant mash.

top up cards for mobiles Does anyone still use top-up?

'Does anyone still use top-up?'

Yes, they do, because they don't have credit to qualify for a contract.

top up cards for mobiles Does anyone still use top-up?

How else would a homeless person top up their mobile? Do you suggest that they use their credit card? ohhh wait.

Cannot believe some people are so fucking mean-spirited they equate liquid soap to wash one's body with luxury and treats. Fucking hell.

I donate small flannels and those puffs to wash with, bars of soap, bottles of body wash, deodorant, shampoo, gah, washing is a basic human function.